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EDITORSVIEW


The enemies within B


ritish Gas needed to visit my house lately to do a yearly safety check up of the boiler as many in the UK have to deal with. The experienced engineer who came to do the job was very proficient in his knowledge and skills as he went about his business. He then asked what I did for a living and this is where the fun started.


He began to tell me how he had completed the British Gas solar training programme so I asked what he thought of solar. His reply that he wouldn’t recommend it to anyone was a surprise. I asked why and he replied that solar couldn’t even heat water and didn’t really work in the UK. My next question was if he had done the course ten years ago but he replied only last month. When I asked what he learnt from the course he told me how British Gas’ new gas fired hot water system was vastly superior.


For me this story was the perfect example of a key issue that the whole industry needs to address. With such misinformation coming through the workers of major energy companies there is a real need to educate the public on the possibilities and potential of solar and PV. The industry appears to eager to strike back at misinformation, whether it be a commentator like George Monbiot who continues to attack solar by comparing set up and development costs to current energy costs and fails to take a longer term view of energy management. Often the industry reactions have little information backing the response and comes across as attacking rather than informing.


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There needs to be a drive to educate the consumer so they begin to demand quality products that meet their needs. The consumer needs to know the product is safe and there are too many instances of shoddy and dangerous installations that only provide fuel to those wanting to attack solar renewable energy. Most of our readers will have travelled to Germany and have seen the impact of a knowledgable consumer base. Solar is not a possiblity there but a way of life. Most people want to help improve the energy resources for the future but much of the information they receive in the UK does not help in allowing informed decision making with a longer term view.


This edition of Solar UK features the latest Solar International and with Solar China about to launch you will start to see developing opportunities through the global Solar brand. I look forward to your feedback.


David Ridsdale Editor-in-Chief


Editor-in-Chief David Ridsdale T: +44 (0)1923 690210 E: david.ridsdale@angelbc.com Director of Solar & IC Publishing: Jackie Cannon T: +44 (0)1923 690205 E: jackie.cannon@angelbc.com Account Manager: Shehzad Munshi T: +44 (0)1923 690215 E: shehzad.munshi@angelbc.com Sales Executive: Martin Jennings T: +44 (0)1923 690222 E: martin.jennings@angelbc.com Director of Logistics: Sharon Cowley T: +44 (0)1923 690200 E: sharon.cowley@angelbc.com Design & Production Manager: Mitchell Gaynor T: +44 (0)1923 690214 E: mitch.gaynor@angelbc.com Subscriptions Manager: Debbie Higham T: +44 (0)1923 690220 E: debbie.higham@angelbc.com Published by: Angel Business Communications Ltd (London Office) Hannay House, 39 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts WD17 1JA, UK USA Representatives: Tom Brun, Tom Brun Media, T: 724 539-2404, E: tbrun@brunmedia.com Janice Jenkins, Tom Brun Media. T: 724 929-3550, E: jjenkins@brunmedia.com Japan Representative: Katsuhiro Ishii, ACE MEDIA SERVICE INC., T: 81-3-5691-3335, E: amskatsu@dream.com China Representative: Parker XU, Unionbandy Limited, T: 86-755-83753881, E: xp@unionbandy.net Directors: Bill Dunlop Uprichard – CEO, Stephen Whitehurst – COO, Jan Smoothy – CFO, Jackie Cannon, Scott Adams, Sharon Cowley, Sukhi Bhadal Registered Office: Angel Business Communications Ltd (Coventry), Registration Number: 1972952


Solar UK is published four times a year on a controlled circulation basis. Non-qualifying individuals can subscribe at: €110.00 (UK & Europe), $140 pa (USA). Cover price £5.50. All information herein is believed to be correct at time of going to press. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors and omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permission for the material contained in this publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd will be happy to acknowledge any copyright oversights in a subsequent issue of the publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd © Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or part without the written consent of the publishers. The paper used within this magazine is produced by chain of custody certified manufacturers, guaranteeing sustainable sourcing. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd. ISSN 1751-1135. © 2011.


www.solar-pv-uk.com Issue IV 2011


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