editor’s view By david ridsdale, editor-in-chief


THE UK SOLAR AND PV INDUSTRIES have gone through a great deal of change in 2013. The industry continues to respond to changes in government policies forcing different approaches for different companies. New acronyms continue to be introduced and the industry has to be to tell its FiTs from its ROCs and know if it is getting or giving a Green Deal.


Despite the potential confusion that such changes can bring the UK industry has continued its impressive overall growth. The expected reduction of players is slowly occurring and a stronger industry is starting to appear with 802 MW of new installations in the first 6 months of 2013 alone.


Although such figures are very rosy for an industry intent on reaching 20GW by 2020 there is an interesting impact that government policy appears to have. Over that six month period 520 MW of the 802 MW total was installed in the first three months with the remaining 282 MW in the second quarter. This


coincides with the government reduction in the previous subsidy whilst introducing new incentives through its Green Deal. It will be another few months before the industry can gauge if this drop in installation is a continual issue or just an adjusting blip that occurs around such changes.


Even with such unpredictable behaviour the UK has moved to sixth place on the global rankings of solar installations. The region still relies too heavily on imported products so is vulnerable to global market whims. There is some manufacturing in the UK and such ventures should be supported and fostered by local interests, as it will pay dividends in the long run.


The last few years saw much conflict within the industry as different factions pushed their own barrows and financial incentives ruled sales rather than technology. With the market finding its own balance there is less players but with greater focus. There are still divisions with a need to maintain a balance between environmental concerns with the bottom line but overall the industry is developing mechanisms that provide a stronger voice within the government and policy making institutions.


The second half of 2013 will give more clues to just how strong the industry will become. With the carrot of 20GW in less than a decade there is ample room for growth and some optimism that the government will continue to incentivise the industry to achieve the targets it has set the region.


Issue III 2013 I www.solar-uk.net 3


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