News Article
STA And REA Members Express Fears
An REA/STA industry survey answered by 139 solar companies details the likely impact of the proposed cuts to solar FITs on the UK industry. Key findings are;
In total the companies surveyed employ 4,055 people. The feared job losses amount to 1,715 people, representing 42% of current total staff currently employed by these companies. REA has previously estimated employment at 25 "“ 30,000 across the UK solar industry. Applying this rate of job loss to the sector would result in the loss of 11,000 solar jobs nationally.
The survey revealed a stark impact on the social housing sector. Companies involved in social housing said a total of 31,522 social houses are now likely to have their solar schemes cancelled. Only 1,441 social housing installations are now deemed viable. However, PV Adviser Ray Noble believes that nationally potentially 20,000 social houses could proceed of an estimated 100,000.
Ray Noble said; "This sector has proved itself in just 18 months despite repeated upheavals. It surely now deserves the most enthusiastic political support. In addition to solar module price drops, the UK industry has cut installation costs up to 50%. At the very largest scale solar is now competitive with offshore wind. Domestic solar is delivering huge numbers of quality jobs. Solar has stimulated quite exceptional levels of community and business innovation.
On top of all these benefits, if the Government get fully behind this industry, solar will be cheaper than the prices households and businesses will be paying for electricity not long after this Parliament. That will totally transform choice and competition in the UK electricity sector. The Chancellor must secure this industry's future in his autumn statement. It is Alice in Wonderland to achieve such fantastic results and, given the remaining budget, find ourselves fearful for the very survival of the UK solar industry."
33% of companies said they were concerned their business may be forced to close. 50% were hopeful of continuing but with a smaller workforce/business. 17% were confident they could weather these changes, with little or no anticipated change to staff numbers.
90% of companies say the proposed tariff changes are "˜too deep and too fast'. 2.3% described the cuts as "˜not a surprise and appropriate'. However, there are strong feelings about how the scheme has been managed with 98% agreeing "˜the lack of sensitivity to the industry's needs for transparency, longevity and certainty is alarming'.
There is a wide range of ways in which companies are being affected financially. Containers of solar modules have been ordered and paid for. Millions of pounds' worth of stock is sitting in warehouses. Contracts totalling millions of pounds have been signed up to March 2012. Conversely some smaller companies are struggling to buy modules and inverters to fulfil current orders.
The STA is holding a major meeting of its membership next week to determine its position. However, adding to the industry's woes REA and STA staff will be setting their wider concerns about the sustainability of the scheme over the next 3 years given the remaining budget. REA and STA staff will be meeting Ministers to discuss the very difficult situation for the solar industry at the DECC Roundtable later this week.
