The programme and speakers for the Solar Power UK Conference 2010, the first official event of the Solar Power Group, have now been announced.
The conference and exhibition, to be split over two days from the 18-19 October, follows the theme, ‘Enabling the UK solar market for 2011.’
Focusing on challenges of supply, cost and the rapid growth in demand for solar in the UK, the conference will be divided into seven sessions over the two days. Solar Power UK 2010 will be the first step in ensuring that all the major players in the UK market can come together as one industry to ensure that the 250MW target, as predicted by solar industry professionals, is achievable.
Monday the 18th will begin with an opening keynote address and welcome from Photovoltaics International’s CEO and Member of the Solar Power Group steering committee, David Owen. This will then be followed by the first keynote speech, “The UK Vision for Solar Power Generation, What Happens Next?”, which will be presented by Ray Noble, PV Specialist Consultant for REA Solar Power Group and advisor to DECC and the MCS steering committee.
Session one will focus on policy, looking at the current political attitude to the solar incentive schemes, how the UK fits into the wider EU and international targets and the likelihood of a reduction in the feed-in tariff for microgeneration. This session will include the presentation, “Key Engagement with UK Parliament on Solar” from Alan Whithead MP, PRASEG.
Sessions two, four and seven will concentrate on projects, looking at installations within local authorities across the UK, large-scale developments and planned schemes. Presentations include “25% of All Council Energy to Come from Solar – An Ambitious Plan for Cornwall Council” from Tim German, Cornwall Council; “Large-Scale System Design to Maximise Returns” by IBC Solar; “A Consultative Approach to Planning for Renewables in Cornwall: Results from the first UK Public Consultation Revealed” from Adrian Lea, Renewables Planning Consultant, Cornwall Council; and “Empowering Schools with PV Energy and Education”, which will be presented by British Gas.
The last slot on day one (session three) will look at enabling PV, announcing for the first time the new MCS code for BIPV products and installations in the UK. This section will also include a presentation from Nigel Fox at the National Grid looking at “Operating the Power System with Renewables.”
Day two will involve a session on the supply chain (session five), which includes an exclusive announcement from Martin Cotterell, Member of the MCS Steering Group on “New Guidelines for Transformer-Less Inverters.” There will also be talks on the topic of residential installations (session six), with presentations on real-life experiences and a run-down of case studies from current UK solar installations, as well as the closing session on project schemes (session seven) across the UK.
Conference delegates can also take advantage of the fantastic networking opportunities during gourmet refreshment breaks, as well as the chance to explore a mini expo where attendees can find the solutions to make their solar project or business a solar success. The conference and mini expo will be held at London’s prestigious Savoy Place and will be followed by a Gala Networking Dinner held at the Silver Sturgeon after the first conference day.
Interested parties are urged to book now to avoid disappointment, as the event is already proving hugely popular. With such a prestigious roll-call of speakers and contributors, the conference looks set to open a new UK chapter in the ever-expanding uptake of photovoltaics as a viable energy source.