REA And STA To Go Separate Ways
The Renewable Energy Association and Solar Trade Association will end their formal affiliation on 1 January 2015.
The two associations became affiliated in March 2011, when the STA merged with the REA's Solar Power Group and relaunched with representation of both the solar heating and solar power industries.
Next year the two associations will become independent once again, allowing them both to focus on their core strengths.
REA Chairman Martin Wright said:
"Solar heating and solar power are vitally important technologies, with the potential to reduce energy costs for UK households and businesses. Our members want us to strengthen our offer for these important technologies. This is what we're going to do, by building on the excellent capacity in our existing On-site and Renewable Power sector groups. We will continue to apply our unparalleled policy expertise and strong relations with Government to the goal of securing a bright future for UK solar energy.
"I'm very proud of the achievements we have secured together these past three and a half years and very grateful to the STA staff and membership for their vital work. I wish the STA every success for the future."
STA Chairman Jan Sisson said:
"Solar power has come from nowhere at the start of this Parliament to providing nearly 10% of all renewable power over the last quarter. As long as we can secure a more stable policy framework, subsidy-free solar is now on the horizon. At the same time the solar thermal sector now has the best policy framework ever under the RHI.
"The Solar Trade Association and the Renewable Energy Association have been key to these achievements, which were unimaginable when we first started working together nearly four years ago. Solar has come of age and has become a significant presence in the UK renewables market. As this market has expanded, so too must the STA to meet the new challenges ahead. It is vital that solar energy strengthens its voice, particularly with an eye on the increasingly competitive post-subsidy world.
"I would like to thank everyone at the Renewable Energy Association for its valued contribution in supporting the STA to become the highly professional, respected and influential voice of solar that it is today. It speaks volumes about the progress of the STA that we now attract all the leading names in solar to our membership and we look forward to strengthening our voice going forwards. We may now be two separate organisations, but we will continue to work side by side towards our common goal of mainstreaming renewable energy."
