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INDUSTRYPOLICY


A number of solar commentators made the effort to contradict the report but in the excitement of their distress they failed to offer any substantiation to their own claims allowing such retorts to only strengthen the REF’s argument. Worse some of the efforts to respond were littered with factual errors including the publisher, author’s title or whether solar and PV had been mentioned in the report. The problem with such tit for tat media play is that it undermines the broader renewable energy issues this country faces.


Constable claims to examine the empirical evidence from existing green policies, as well as the European Commission’s future projections. Both suggest that the economic benefits to Europe as a whole will be marginal at best, and non- existent for Britain. A great deal of emphasis is placed on words like report and research but basically they looked at the EU Commission’s EmployRES in 2009 and then ran modelling simulation based on a number of assumptions based on past experiences when the energy mix and opportunity was vastly different to today. This is not even considering technological advances that readers of this magazine are aware continue to dramatically change renewable opportunities.


Not all it seems


Many critics point to the name as one of the key problems to the organisation. The focus is on wind but they now try and make statements that encompass all renewables creating confusion as to what the agenda is. The renewable energy industries have a problem with representation which is very evident in the solar sector. There are too many organisations claiming to be the voice of the industry and these discordant voices create a chattering of confusion that is the last thing needed by industries trying to gain a foothold in a precarious and competitive market. The REF claim to act on behalf of renewable energies but like others claiming this space they are far too narrow in their output to rightfully claim to cover renewable energies. A quick look at the technical advisors shows there is not a single individual with a history of photovoltaics and most of the influential names on the board have a wind and wave background.


While some of the reporting and advocacy may be questionable the REF has set up a database of all renewable efforts that come under government obligations and subsidies that does provide real feedback on the UK’s renewable projects. Much of the data is used as proof that the immediate cost of renewable energy is too expensive. Once again it fails to acknowledge that a renewable policy is not just economic in nature and social expectations are that moving from fossil fuel dependency will come at a cost. With such a narrow industry view it is no


wonder that the REF sees PV and solar to be an unacceptable form of investment for the future. If you look at their figures over a longer period of time and take into account returns on investment and continued energy generation after initial costs, the outcomes are vastly different as traditional energy methods will continue to have costs for extraction. Costs that will increase over time.


An industry divided


Divide and conquer is an ancient axiom that renewable energies seem to be doing very well on their own without external help. The next step in commercialisation and acceptance of renewable energies will be to garner public support that is not based on the aesthetics of energy creation but the physical practicalities of the process and the long term benefits. With competing organisations speaking on behalf of the industry there will only be confusion as to the message carried. Companies need to be very careful what is being said in their name. Like it or not, any organisation with renewable or solar or photovoltaic is going to be perceived as true and acceptable by external sources. Sources that will often carry renewable messages to the end customers. These are the people that need to get on board the renewable revolution. The REF does raise a number of pertinent points and questions regarding social responsibility and due diligence when the long term energy mix is decided upon by governments. The mishandling of the FiT subsidies and subsequent dramatic changes is a point in question. The REF is correct in the assertions that the issues are complex and can be over simplified by policy outcomes. They are also correct that energy storage remains a roadblock to the implementation of renewable energies to their full potential.


Debate is needed on all sides of the renewable debate but their needs to be an understanding of long term goals in implementing renewable energy schemes. The financial argument is not as clear cut as the REF is suggesting as much of the technology and processes have not had the time to reveal their true effectiveness. The REF has a place in this debate but it is questionable that they are operating under a true renewable umbrella. Unfortunately this word has been taken buy a number of groups who actually only look at a segment of the industry but more and more they are suggesting they are speaking on behalf of the broader industry.


The question companies need to ask themselves is what do they want said in their name?


© 2011 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.


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


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