Solar Strategy Is Heading In The Right Direction Says TGE
Commercial and industrial rooftop solar PV received a welcome boost from DECC with the announcement of a new Solar Strategy for the UK, shifting the focus from solar farms to an estimated 250 hectares of commercial rooftops.
This news was warmly received by Rupert Higgin, BPVA board member and managing director of TGE Group, who joined Energy & Climate Change Minister Greg Barker on Friday, 4th April for the launch of the Solar Strategy in Birmingham.
"As part of my role at the BPVA and as an advisor for the DECC Solar Strategy Group, I have been making recommendations on how we can kick start the commercial and industrial roof top solar PV sector and what has stopped this market from growing to date, based on our extensive commercial experience at TGE Group. One proposal that is high on the agenda is the extension of permitted development rights to commercial systems over 50kWp, which could save between 2-4% of installation costs," commented Rupert Higgin.
"Whilst this is a step in the right direction and an encouraging sign for the industry, I do believe DECC needs to quickly address other barriers to further encourage this sector, particularly the long term nature of PV against the trend for short term leases for commercial property. Allowing existing PV systems to be relocated could address this obstacle, along with a further mixture of changes and new incentives including tax breaks, withdrawal of EPC requirements, changes to the FiT over 250kWp and applying pressure on DNOs to find solutions for grid upgrades."
The Solar Strategy revealed plans to turn Government estate as well as factories, supermarkets and car parks into power generators. "We have put ourselves among the world leaders on solar and this ambitious strategy will place us right at the cutting edge. There is massive potential to turn our large buildings into power stations and we must seize the opportunity this offers to boost our economy as part of our long term economic plan," Greg Barker explained.