last
updated 4th October 05
by 4ecotips.com
But reality
is very different, says solarcentury
As G8 governments gathered in London
for this week's Dialogue on Climate
Change (as promised at the G8 Summit
in the summer), the UK Government
told the world again that climate
change is a great threat. The UK is
said to be leading the way in combating
threat. But the reality is very different
according to solarcentury the solar
energy experts.
Solar photovoltaics (PV), a zero
carbon technology uniquely suited
to our urban environment, is a key
ally in the fight against climate
change since more than 50% of UK emissions
come directly and indirectly from
buildings.
Globally, the PV market is one of
the fastest growing markets in the
world, so there is huge potential
opportunity in this technology not
just for a green British government
but also UK plc.
Here in the UK, there are already
three solar pv manufacturers and over
60 installation companies. But a dreadful
contradiction at the heart of Government
policy, says solarcentury, is holding
back our embryonic industry. For solar
photovoltaics, the Government has
been committed publicly to a ten year
programme in line with Japan and Germany
since 2001.
But, apparently, this year Germany
will install the equivalent of 250,000
roofs of solar pv. The UK will install
just 1% of that figure. We are falling
further and further behind.
And what little support the sector
has in the UK is bizarrely about to
come to an end. On 2 December, grant
applications to the Government's solar
PV Major Demonstration Programme end
just three years into the ten year
programme.
All year, solarcentury, Sharp and
the Renewable Power Association have
been advising Government of the consequences
of this remarkable u-turn. They haven't
listened.
"The next time the Prime Minister
poses as a world leader in combating
climate change," said solarcentury
CEO Jeremy Leggett, "the facts
in a vital solutions industry will
tell a different story. All the promise,
enthusiasm, and belief he instilled
in the solarcentury staff when he
visited last year is in danger of
being exposed as so much hot air.
I hope and expect that the government
will wake up in time and act consistently
with their long train of promises.
But I can't understand why they are
leaving it so late, and making business
planning so impossible."
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