Opinions

Five years after its inception, Solar Energy UK (SEUK) has established itself as the number one UK event for all professionals within the solar industry – attracting over 170 exhibitors and 2,424 unique visitors from 42 countries last year alone.

Next week, the UK solar PV industry will meet at the NEC in Birmingham for what is set to be the most frenetic few days yet to confront the industry. And top of the to-do list for many will be acquiring rights for solar farm sites that could be potentially completed before 1 April 2015.

Martin Cotterell looks at the forthcoming IET Solar PV code of practice, how it relates to other PV installation standards and the impact on installers in the UK.

The problem with making decisions based on predictions of the future, is the closer the future gets, the more the quality of those forecasts is laid bare. Gareth Miller, principal consultant for Cornwall Energy explains what DECC’s revised forecasts mean for the country’s energy policy reforms.

Finlay Colville finds that mid-year softness, due in part to market uncertainty following the proposed ROC adjustments back in May 2014, has created a partial lull on ground-mount PV activity in the UK.

In anticipation of DECC going through with its proposal to scrap RO support, it’s not surprising that many in the ground mount community are seriously considering how they might bid for a Contract for Difference (CfD) in the first allocation round opening on 16 October this year.

Google Trends can be a valuable tool for solar companies looking to gather intelligence on consumers’ behaviour. Dan Castro outlines exactly how useful this tool can be for solar installers.

Across more than 150 countries people took to the streets to demand action on climate change, renewable energy and an end to polluting fossil fuels. The marches are timed to coincide with the UN Climate Summit in New York on Tuesday, and for UN Climate talks in Lima this December, and in Paris in 2015.

With Parliament back from the summer break, Westminster appears to have (finally!) gathered that there is currently quite a bit of hand wringing going on in the non-domestic solar power industry. A High Court case is usually a giveaway.

Solar has the potential to make a big contribution to the UK’s energy security. Toddington Harper, CEO, Big60Million explains how bonds can help everyone claim a portion of the additional social, economic and financial benefits.