The UK Solar Trade Association has recently launched a report claiming that the government has failed to recognize the potential for solar power in the UK. The Alternative Solar Revolution Strategy demands the government to ‘rethink’ solar to deliver a clear strategy and attract more investment to fuel a solar revolution in the UK.
“The Government has got it wrong on solar. We are on the cusp of a global solar revolution, major markets all over the world recognize that solar energy is critical to our future,” says Howard Johns, Chairman of Solar Trade Association. “Germany plans to generate 50% of its day time electricity from solar by 2020 – Germany’s targets are for 52GW of solar energy compared to 2.7GW for the UK by 2020. Community projects have been devastated by government decision making on solar.”
In the UK solar PV has the potential to satisfy 30% of UK electricity needs before 2040. Solar has been proven to be popular and the industry has been growing steadily over the past few years, stimulating employment for the economy, so why does solar still not feature significantly in the Government’s energy plans!?
“We urgently need a green energy revolution to create new jobs and tackle the twin threats of rising fuel prices and global climate change. Harnessing the power of the sun is essential to the development of a low-carbon economy, but Government funding cuts threaten to kill off this fledgling industry”, says Alan Simpson, Sustainability Advisor to Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace have spearheaded a campaign calling for a solar revolution in the UK, visit www.oursolarfuture.org.uk
