The BRE National Solar Centre (NSC) has been officially opened by Energy Minister Greg Barker in St Austell today transforming the UK solar industry into a global player.
The NSC is a dynamic centre for excellence for the use of solar energy in the UK. It aims to drive innovation, cost reduction and increased confidence in the marketplace through knowledge generation. Working with local partners, including the Eden Project, Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust, Plymouth University, and Exeter University’s Tremough campus, the centre will provide industry led research, analysis and testing and training facilities where industry experts and organisations can share knowledge, data and developments, making the NSC a key player in the sustainable energy marketplace, both in the UK and internationally.
The centre will also provide support for the development of future standards to increase quality of PV installations; due diligence consultancy and testing for new build installations; fault finding, verification and optimisation for existing systems; product development for building-integrated PV and other integrated approaches; direct support for Cornish small and medium enterprises and encouragement for inward investment to create a cluster of solar PV companies on the site.
Speaking at the launch, Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “The new National Solar Centre, based in St Austell in Cornwall, will play a fundamental role in driving forward the solar industry here in the UK. Not only will work carried out by the Centre help to cut costs, improve efficiency and drive forward innovation in this sector, it will also help position the UK as a top destination for global investment in this exciting technology.
“The Coalition Government has finally put solar firmly on the map. Solar has a key part to play in our energy mix, and later this year we will be launching the UK’s first-ever Government solar strategy, to capitalise on growth so far and explore ways to take it even further. The Centre couldn’t come at a better or more important time.”
Newly-appointed Director of the NSC, Barry Marsh said: “I am delighted to be appointed at such a critical time in the industry, and look forward to working with our Founding Partners, industry stakeholders, and supporters’.
Barry has been directly involved in the UK solar industry since 1988, working with developers, architects, contractors, installers and suppliers on the deployment of PV in the UK. Also joining the BRE National Solar Centre as Associate Consultants are two key names from the industry, Ray Noble and Martin Cotterell.
The NSC has received significant funding support from the European Regional Development fund (£870k over two years). Match funding has also been contributed by over 20 Founding Members, drawn from the leading players in UK solar industry.
The estimated value of today’s UK solar market is £1.5bn. By 2020 it is estimated that it will be worth £21.4 bn. The South West continues to lead the way in solar development and the NSC is the latest centre to take advantage of the greatest number of hours of sunshine on the UK mainland*. There have already been a total of 55,577 installations in the region and the Centre’s specifically designed infrastructure and business environment will help move the industry forward.
