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PV market showing signs of recovery

Solar Trade Association

Press Release

Immediate Release

PV market showing signs of recovery

Message getting through that solar still pays

DECC figures released this morning [1] indicate that the solar PV sector is gradually recovering from its recent market stagnation. The trend since the end of April is a steady weekly increase in deployment of around 620kW, as shown in the graph below. Although the graph appears to drop off at latest data point, this is expected to be revised upwards next week, owing to a lag in data collection.

The STA was instrumental in securing a workable cost control framework for the FIT, and is now working hard to get the message out that solar is still a great investment. STA [2] Chief Executive Paul Barwell comments:

“We have been monitoring deployment very carefully. We're now fairly confident that the UK PV market is on the road to recovery. This steady climb in deployment – which will see a minor blip next week owing to the Jubilee weekend – is a sign of a stable and sustainable future for the UK PV sector. Consumers are getting the message that returns are as good as ever and the Feed-in Tariff is finally stable.”

STA PV Specialist Ray Noble adds:

“The previous peaks and troughs were of course not sustainable.

“The feedback we are getting from industry is that deployment will continue to rise. We need to increase present deployment to a steady rate of 21MWp/week in order to achieve the Government’s expected annual deployment of 800-1,000MWp.”

ENDS

For further information or to request an interview, please contact:

            STA Press Office: +44 (0)2079 810 856

Notes to Editors

1. DECC: ‘Weekly solar PV installation and capacity’, 8^th June 2012. Available at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/media/viewfile.ashx?filetype=4&filepath=11/stats/energy/energy-source/3803-weekly-solar-pv-installation-and-capacity-.xls&minwidth=true
    
2. The Solar Trade Association (STA) represents companies working in solar thermal and solar power in the UK. Since 2011 the STA has been affiliated to the Renewable Energy Association. Established in 1978 as a not-for-profit trade association we represent a diverse membership across the solar power and solar heating industry. The STA works in conjunction with its members to achieve the right regulatory framework and incentives for solar to deliver an increasing contribution to the UK’s electricity and heating needs. We undertake policy development and provide expert advice and analysis to government departments, agencies, regulators, NGOs and other stakeholders. For more information, see: www.solar-trade.org.uk

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