The UK’s Solar Trade Association (STA) is calling its members to spread the positive word about solar energy in a bid to set out the strong case for a much more ambitious and positive approach to the technology. A committee will convene on Thursday morning in the House of Commons to discuss the amendments to the feed-in tariff rates, following on from the discussion before summer recess.
Joining the STA at Thursday’s meeting will be Mr Roger Gale who will Chair the discussion along with members Mr David Anderson, Jeremy Corbyn, Andrew George, John Glen, Charles Hendry, Huw Irranca-Davies, Sir Gerald Kaufman, Mr David Lammy, Ian Lucas, Mark Menzies, David Mowat, Mark Reckless, Mel Stride, Mr Robert Syms, Mr Shailesh Vara, Mr Mike Weir, Dr Alan Whitehead and Simon Wright.
The STA is now encouraging its members to check the list and contact the relevant MP directly, if they are in their constituency.
“We urge STA members to do what they can to present the facts about solar and the realities for UK firms working in this area. However, while we appreciate competitive pressures over the inadequate DECC budget, it is frustrating and unhelpful when solar members seek to damage each others work area – this risks creating a poor impression of the whole industry and detracts from the STA’s call to take solar seriously,” the STA said in a letter to its members.
“We urge you to underline positively how important this technology is and the need for much greater ambition across the board to ensure we can strengthen the UK's position in the booming global market.”
The UK has now installed more than 200MW of solar PV since the feed-in tariff scheme was introduced in April 2010. It is now up to Government to continue its support in order to drive the technology past recent cuts and onto a more positive future.