The Scottish arm of the Solar Trade Association (STA) has called on the Scottish government to consider a series of ‘key asks’ on solar to support the industry and help reach the country’s renewables targets. The Holyrood government plans to meet 100% of electricity demand from renewables by 2020 and has already achieved half of this target with 7.5GW supplying the nation. While 5GW comes from onshore wind, STA Scotland says solar can make an important contribution towards meeting this goal, as well as an “essential balance” to the mix of renewables in Scotland. To do this, the organisation has called for the establishment of a Solar Action Plan for Scotland, which would set targets for deployment of both solar PV and thermal systems. It suggests 2GW and 200,000m2 or 141MWth respectively for the two technologies by 2020 would be “ambitious and achievable” targets. In policy terms, it also asks for financial support mechanisms for all solar projects to be implemented using the devolved powers of the Scotland Bill following a widespread withdrawal of support by the UK government. These would bridge the gap to subsidy-free solar projects, which STA Scotland estimates will emerge in the early 2020s. The list of measures also includes changes to tax reliefs for companies producing renewables and community energy projects; a Green Deal replacement scheme covering both domestic and commercial properties, which would encompass energy efficiency and renewables; removal of the need for planning permission for rooftop solar; and a raft of other policy suggestions.
Solar Portal 24th Feb 2016 read more »
Energy Voice 24th Feb 2016 read more »
Scottish Energy News 25th Feb 2016 read more »