The Department of Energy and Climate Change recognises solar as one of the main technologies that will help the UK meet its 2020 15% renewable energy target says the Solar Trade Association.

Paul Barwell, chief executive of the association, says: ‘‘The Renewables Roadmap shows that solar PV is now fully recognised as a significant contributor to the UK’s renewables mix.

“We’d go further and say solar PV will be a heavy-lifter in the UK’s broader energy mix. It’s therefore absolutely right that solar has its own dedicated strategy, as gas now has, and we look forward to working with DECC on this.”

The association welcomed several aspects of the updated Roadmap:

  • All sub-sectors of solar, including the role of the commercial sector will be covered in the solar strategy.
  • The value of smaller scale projects is generally better recognised.
  • Grid issues are identified as an area for action. The costs of some solar projects are unnecessarily increased by grid connection delays.
  • Minimising investment risk for independent generators in the electricity markets is rightly identified as a priority action by DECC.