The Solar Trade Association has released a letter from UK Prime Minister David Cameron, in which he responds to the group’s recent request that the UK Government “act to secure the UK solar industry and strengthen the country’s position on the thriving global solar market.” Specifically, the Solar Trade Association has voiced its serious concerns about the levels of uncertainty in the solar power industry as a result of proposed policy changes by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change. These proposed policy changes, the group argues, would restrict solar’s growth in cost-effective applications such as large-scale rooftop and ground-mounted systems.
In presenting its case to the Prime Minister, the Solar Trade Association provided the following supportive statistics:
- Thousands of UK businesses have already invested in onsite solar power in order to reduce their climate impact and to benefit directly from more stable energy costs.
- The UK solar industry comprises more than 2,000 SMEs, directly employing 16,000 people.
- 61 per cent of the value of large-scale solar investment accrues to the UK — higher than the rate seen for many other energy sources.
David Cameron assured Solar Trade Association that Government and industry will continue to work together on laying the foundations for the successful future of solar in the UK.
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