Solar power sucked into funding 'black hole'
September 3, 2004
The fledgling British solar industry faces an uncertain future because of a "black hole" in Government support, an environmental group warned today.
Friends of the Earth said two key Government funding programmes aimed at boosting solar energy in the UK are to be wound down earlier than planned, with little clarity as to what will follow.
"Companies face a black hole in support and a huge degree of uncertainty... This uncertainty is already making future investment, job recruitment and new product development planning impossible and is sending all the wrong signals to the market," the group said.
Friends of the Earth urged the Government instead to extend the two schemes, offering grants and advice. Although a new scheme to replace the current programmes has been proposed, considerable doubt exists over how much will be given to solar power.
The UK lags behind many countries in Europe and the rest of the world in solar power technologies - despite the government's stated commitment to renewable energy. California is proposing to add solar power to 1m homes within the next 10 years, while 150MW of solar PV was installed in Germany last year, and 200MW is expected to be installed in 2004.
On 12 separate occasions since 1999, the German programme has delivered the equivalent of the UK's three-year target in just one month. So far, the UK has installed 6MW and may have trouble meeting its target of 9MW - or the approximate equivalent of 3,000 domestic roofs - by next year.
The Government's lukewarm approach to solar energy can be attributed to its belief that there is limited scope for solar power because of Britain's climate. The Government believes that wind power holds the most promise and has devoted most of the funds for renewable energy to windfarms.
The Government has said it wants 5% of the UK's electricity supply to come from renewable energy sources next year, 10% by 2010 and 20% by 2020. But most renewable energy experts believe that Britain will miss those targets. Renewable energy sources in the UK currently provide 3.86% of the total electricity supply.
The Guardian website has further information.
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