COVERSTORY
selling our full range to installers and specifically not offering installation services in their own right. Key to this also is their ability to support the end customer technically, backed up by our main office staff and ongoing training programmes.
We are also starting to distribute our products to the more traditional supply chain – a mix of larger installers and merchants/wholesalers who can select certain products from our range. Again our focus remains technical support and an excellent value proposition with the emphasis on the technical side without compromising the quality.
Q A
How have the recent changes to the FiT (announced on the 9th February) affected your plans?
What is clear from the past months of turmoil in the UK market through the various changes in FiT and policy surrounding this, is that to survive and grow, the sector has to drive down costs and give the best possible value – a lean and mean approach is required while maintaining a focus on technology and technical support to help the industry overcome some justified criticism.
The basis behind SBC was always designed to match the inevitable reduction in FiT levels so though the way this was introduced was far from helpful, we are well placed to meet the challenges this presents.
The “gold rush” seen in the sector last year did result in some significant mis-selling and, equally, sub-standard installations. So at one level the shakeout in the market through reduced FiTs has a positive side. What is clear is that the sector as a whole has to hold to the highest standards to avoid the terrible reputation seen 20 or more years ago in solar thermal. Maintaining the highest
standards will allow the sector to establish itself as the most viable widespread and accessible provider of micro generation in the UK. As far as the changes in FiT go, one lesson I learnt many years ago was that fighting issues on legislation is best left to the politicians. It was clear from the onset of the FiT (April 2010) that the tariff level was too high. The failure to adjust this quickly enough and put in place a mechanism to regulate this with transparency has led to the recent hiatus. Through working with Government I believe we can find a balance that allows sustained growth in the sector to deliver genuine environmental benefits and much needed employment in these challenging times.
The long term goal has to be an industry that is not reliant on subsidies. However, in order to kick-start the industry here in the UK and benefit from the economies of scale (and have an established competitive supply chain and install infrastructure)
The long term goal has to be an industry that is not reliant on subsidies. However, in order to kick-start the industry here in the UK and benefit from the economies of scale (and have an established competitive supply chain and install infrastructure)incentives are necessary. These can, and indeed should, be reduced over time but this level of reduction should be against a transparent mechanism that business can model and plan against
19
www.solar-pv-uk.com Issue I 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32