A Measured Response Required To Solar Pressure
People who know me will know that I'm not easy to keep quiet and not slow to react. If you are in the solar industry, take a few deep breaths as I've tried to. We've been dealt significant blows in the first few weeks of this government; timed nicely before parliamentary recess so no questions can be asked. But after a quick rant, which I'm sure we've all done, stop and think. We need a measured response.
Consultations
Firstly we do need to engage with the consultations, follow advice of the trade associations if you are members, Renewable Energy Association (REA) and Solar Trade Association (STA) will give good guidance. You can also engage and input yourself, be careful not to rant, give examples and statistics.
Hearts and Minds
This is critical. We often forget that we are a small industry and it's tempting to talk to each other and justify our opinions, but it is the wider public we need to reach. We're painted as subsidy scroungers in the media, the same verbiage as benefit scroungers and illegal immigrants, look at this headline from the Daily Express today, 'Household bills slashed for MILLIONS as government heralds end of solar energy hand-outs' with the added text 'We can't have a situation where industry has a blank cheque and that cheque is paid for by people's bills'. We are not subsidy scroungers, both the REA and STA have outlined proposals and a glide path to zero subsidy solar, in a very short space of time. The general public don't see this, the media doesn't put that narrative out there. Here is what they see, pure genius from Amber Rudd on the BBC website, 'She conceded that subsidies to the nuclear industry, such as those planned for Hinkley Point, would exceed those going to solar, but she said that nuclear provided "a different type of electricity" A different type of electricity!! Yes, a bloody expensive type!
Then of course, the media certainly doesn't put out there the colossal tax breaks that fossil fuels get, unless you read the Guardian. Fossil fuels subsidised by $10m a minute, says IMF. (notice solar gets subsidy, fossils get tax breaks and nuclear gets a strike price, important semantics). The public won't see the costs and over-runs of building nuclear. They won't see the tax breaks and support fracking will get, they don't and won't comprehend the broader energy issues. UNLESS WE TELL THEM. In a calm and collected way, dealing in facts not emotions we need to get OUR narrative into the public domain.
By all means let's support each other in the sector for the common good, keep talking, let off a bit of steam in quiet moments. But to the public let's show ourselves as a mature and grown up industry, one that can and DOES provide jobs, economic growth and secure green energy.
Climate change, so what!
We have to accept that whilst it's a big driver to most in our sector (not all) to many people they don't believe it, or just don't give a shit, if it's 'green crap' or cheaper bills (as it is presented to them) they'll take the cheaper bills all day long. Make the climate argument for sure, but make the economic one too.
Let's take control of the narrative
We need to make sure that we share the truth and the good news about solar and renewables to everyone, from your local MP (The REA have a great automated tool which helps you write to your MP expressing the jobs, growth and economic arguments, great templates you can amend), to friends, local papers, your mates down the pub, gym or coffee shop. We have to take control of this or the media and government will have it all their own way. They don't care when we squabble and rant, it plays into their hands. What they don't want out there is the truth about their nonsense energy policy, about Grid and infrastructure chaos, the system is in a bad shape no matter what source of electricity you use. Shale's own fans acknowledge it's likely (small) impact in the UK, nuclear is about as expensive as you are going to get. Let's not rant and rave, however unjust today's announcements, let's take the argument to the streets, newspapers, social media, friends, family and general public. Then we might have a chance.
David Hunt is Managing Partner of a specialist Search and Selection business operating in the renewables and cleantech sector. David is also Chair of the Onsite Renewables Sector Group of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) and sits on their policy board. He is also a board member of for Employment & skills for the Liverpool City Region LEP and is a director of a Community Energy Coop, developing 1MW of solar projects.
David currently works in the UK and globally in the solar sector; clients are primarily product manufacturers and EPC/Developers.
David has over 17 years’ experience recruiting core talent, having recruited roles from Finance Director in the Falklands, to Telecoms engineers in Central Europe, to a VP of sales and marketing for a property developer in Qatar. He has also recruited extensively throughout the UK.
Between 2007 and 2013 David became an expert in renewable technology and sustainable business. Starting and growing a renewable energy installation business from scratch to £6.4m turnover, winning many awards along the way. He was also Vice-Chair of the Renewable Energy Association trade body (REA) and a member of PRASEG (Parliamentary Renewable And Sustainable Energy Group) at that time. He also sat on the Low Carbon Economy Board for the Liverpool City Region LEP, and the Energy and Environment steering groups for the Liverpool & Knowsley Chambers of Commerce.
David has spoken about business and the economy on ITN News, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live, and in the Financial Times. He has also spoken specifically about renewable energy on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC Radio Cumbria, City Talk radio, and had various articles, papers and opinion pieces published in places as diverse as, The Independent, Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian, FTadvisor, and various national and international trade publications.
