REPOWER – REA OVERVIEW REQ
Solar’s journey to zero subsidy. It’s a new dawn for solar energy at the REA
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here’s never a dull moment in solar. From drastic cuts to Feed-in Tariffs to anti-dumping trade measures. From shared ownership with
communities to the backtracking on Zero Carbon Homes. From the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive to the amazing growth of solar farms.
Through all these twists and turns, the REA
and STA worked side by side to help secure a sustainable future for solar power. Our efforts were not in vain. The solar
industry has become the jewel in the crown of UK renewables. Over 500,000 homes now have solar roofs and solar farms are the fastest growing source of new UK power. Now there’s another change coming. From 1 January 2015, we will end our formal affiliation with the STA. This doesn’t mean we will stop supporting solar. On the contrary, it means we will once again turn
our efforts to the exclusive benefit of REA members. Solar power and heating are growing
rapidly around the world. Solar power is recognised by financial analysts as a game changer in the global electricity system and is one of the four key renewable technologies we’ve identified for addressing the UK’s looming capacity crisis (see p. 7). Solar is revolutionising the way we engage
with the energy system, enabling households, businesses and communities to power themselves. If the next government commits to stable policies, it will be the government that takes PV to zero-subsidy. And as storage solutions echo solar’s success and enter the mainstream, we will really see solar start to shine. We hope you can join us for the next stage in solar’s incredible journey.
REQ THE REA IS THE NATURAL HOME OF UK SOLAR ENERGY ADVOCACY
1. We have represented UK solar power since our foundation in 2001, longer than any other trade body 2. The REA led the campaign for the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff, the key policy that sparked the UK solar sector to life 3. As a pan-technology trade body, we see the big picture, so we understand how policy changes in one sector can have knock-on effects in another 4. We have longstanding solar expertise in our Policy Team, including Mike Landy (specialising on Feed-in Tariffs, the Renewable Heat Incentive, Building Regulations, planning and EU policy), Frank Gordon (specialising on the Renewables Obligation and
Contracts for Difference) and Bob Weaver (specialising on grid issues) 5. Last year we became the first trade body to appoint a dedicated specialist on community energy, and who better to lead this work than our former Chief Executive Gaynor Hartnell 6. Last year we also launched our Finance Forum, headed up by Rob McGrigor, which brings financiers and developers together and serves as our lobbying platform for Treasury and BIS 7. Finally, we have welcomed back the UK’s foremost solar advocate (and co-chair of DECC’s Solar Strategy) Ray Noble, who will lead our work on Solar, Storage and Electric Vehicles
Solar is going from strength to strength and leading the race towards zero subsidy
12 REQ RENEWABLE ENERGY QUARTERLY |
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WINTER 2014
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