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Lightsource Bullish On Scotland's Solar Future

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Scotland is leading the way in the UK for renewable energy generation with nearly 50 per cent of its electricity needs being provided through renewable sources, mainly via wind and hydro energy technologies. Recent developments in solar photovoltaics (PV) have revolutionised our ability to harness the power of the sun making solar PV technology a realistic, cost-effective, and sustainable energy source worldwide. For Scotland, solar PV energy generation is quickly emerging as a complimentary local energy source which will help meet the nation's 2020 targets of the equivalent of 100 per cent of gross annual electricity demand from renewable energy generation.

In the past, solar panel technology predominantly depended upon direct sunlight to produce electricity. However, innovative breakthroughs in technology have seen the introduction of "˜solar PV' cell-based panels that only require daylight to produce electricity"”even with the notoriously "˜dreich' weather in Scotland.

Lightsource Renewable Energy is Europe's leading solar PV electricity generator, producing the equivalent of enough electricity to power over 200,000 UK households. The company affirms its investment to Scotland with the opening of its new office in Livingston this month by Energy Minster, Fergus Ewing. At the event, Mr. Ewing stated there is "a significant role" for solar PV to play in Scotland.

Lightsource has already identified around 70 potential sites for ground-mounted solar PV farms, as well as opportunity for commercial and domestic rooftop solar PV systems in Scotland, which would represent a substantial investment into the economy. Lightsource hopes to invest up to £50 million in the region, although they have stated this figure could change due to the new Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme which limits solar PV's deployment potential as capacity is likely to be swallowed up by onshore wind projects. On the topic of government support, Mr. Ewing stated "I hope we will see some continuity of policy, and not too much chopping and changing."

Nick Boyle, CEO at Lightsource Renewable Energy, comments: "The habit of turning on a light, running a bath, or flicking the kettle on is not going out of fashion, and with the UK's fossil fuels resources' being depleted in the next number of years, we need to provide home-grown electricity wherever possible. Advances in solar PV technology have seen increased efficiency of panels and reductions in manufacturing costs, making solar PV a viable power source to add to Scotland's overall energy mix."

Boyle continues: "In just over three years, Lightsource has deployed over £1.1 billion of UK retail investment into the local renewable energy economy and we hope to continue this momentum through significant investment into projects developed in Scotland as well."

Lightsource will develop solar PV projects in Scotland across a variety of installations. These include ground-mounted projects (solar PV farms), commercial rooftops, social housing, schools, and private households. Local community engagement is a key factor during the planning stages of a project and Lightsource has pioneered community engagement within the solar PV industry, building strong relationships with local communities throughout the planning and development process of a project, ensuring that each installation is tailored to the local area.

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