Unlocking the full potential of UK solar PV "“ on buildings and in the fields
Dr. Finlay Colville
Vice-President
Solarbuzz
The UK solar PV industry has truly arrived on the global stage, and is now considered a low-risk top-10 end-market within what is now a rapidly growing global energy sector. The solar PV passed through the 3GW mark for cumulative installations by the end of 2013, with robust growth in the residential and ground-mount segments.
The UK market offers strong potential for almost all suppliers and domestic installers, with growth in 2014 and beyond forecast from the residential, commercial rooftop and ground-mount segments. This is being driven by stable and attractive returns, coupled with a fundamental need for new energy capacity within the UK out to 2020. The long-term goals of DECC to reach 20GW by 2020 now appear to be realistic targets that may be achieved before the end of the decade.
NPD Solarbuzz has just upgraded its 2014 forecast for the UK solar PV market to 2.5GW, equivalent to approximately 80% of all PV capacity deployed in the UK up to the end of 2013! By the time of the May 2015 national elections, the UK may have as much as 7GW of solar PV deployed.
2014 will turn out to be a pivotal year for the UK solar PV industry, not simply from a deployment level perspective. Early signs at the start of 2014 are showing strong rebound in the large commercial rooftop market "“ the key segment in the UK awaiting strong PV adoption. If financing models can be made to work in this segment, then 2014 could be the year that the UK succeeds in developing strong pipelines across all of the residential, commercial rooftop and ground-mount segments. This will be key to developing a broad range of skills across various installers and developers, and will create opportunities for small and large systems alike.
Understanding the returns on offer from the different solar PV segments, and the finance vehicles being applied to stimulate demand, are now critical for all participants in the UK solar PV industry. Declines in end-market solar prices, coupled with the long-term returns on offer, are now stimulating investments that were previously unavailable for user and developers.
The one-day seminar will focus specifically on each of the different segments driving the UK solar PV industry: residential installations, the commercial rooftop market, and the large-scale ground-mount solar farms. In addition to these three topics, the day will start with a detailed look at what is needed from a policy perspective to ensure low-risk deployment beyond the forthcoming elections. Each session will also benefit from a moderated Q&A session, with leading experts being invited to contribute to the debate.
