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Having delayed for years, the UK government is finally set to implement a financial incentive scheme for solar energy. Under the proposal, which is due to become law in the first quarter of 2010, electricity produced from solar energy will receive a guaranteed price per unit. This guaranteed price, called a feed-in tariff, aims to remove the uncertainty around price that has hampered growth in the industry for many years. By taking this step, Britain is finally following the example of other major European economies like Germany, France and Italy. At a solar energy conference in London later this year, UK and international experts will talk about the prospects of the solar PV industry in the UK. The conference, scheduled for 22 June 2010, will act as a platform, with networking opportunities for UK and international business executives. Major stakeholders, from regulators to industry experts and financiers, will be discussing their expectations.

While other European solar energy markets have been thriving in the last five years, the UK market for solar electricity (also known as photovoltaics, or simply PV) has remained small and is still in its infancy. But all this is about to change. The new feed-in tariffs are scheduled to come into effect by 1 April 2010. The photovoltaic industry expects growth to kick in quickly after that date. More than 50 solar companies around the UK are eagerly waiting for the law to be finally passed in the House of Commons in April 2010. "Other countries in Europe have shown how quickly clear framework conditions can translate into growth. We are now ready for growth in the UK as well, and hope that other stakeholders like the financial institutions will also see the opportunity," says Joachim Gerhard, a London-based solar energy consultant.

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More than 200 experts in photovoltaic (PV) energy, waste management and recycling participated today in the 1st International Conference on PV module recycling organized by PV CYCLE and EPIA in collaboration with the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. Attendees had the opportunity to learn first-hand from different industry associations and companies what is currently being done to implement recycling mechanisms and to minimise the environmental impact of end-of-life solar panels. "Since the early years of photovoltaics, in the 1990s, customers and industry alike have shown their dedication for protecting the environment and finding a reliable solution for the adequate disposal of modules" explained Eleni Despotou, EPIA Deputy Secretary General. "An increasing number of manufacturers are working on the development of new and more effective recycling processes. However, the quantities of PV modules available for recycling are still too low to make any private scheme 100% commercially viable. This is why initiatives such as PV CYCLE can really make a difference for the industry." According to the forecast presented in a study commissioned by EPIA and the founding members of PV CYCLE, approximately 3,000 tonnes of PV modules will be disposed of in Germany during 2010, which represent close to 50% of all the PV waste that will be generated in Europe this year. Although this figure will remain relatively stable for the next two decades, the study shows that by 2030 about 130,000 tonnes of end-of-life PV modules will be disposed of in Europe.

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Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today released the following statement on New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's executive order aimed at making New Mexico the center of the North American solar industry and a leader in renewable energy export. "We applaud Governor Richardson's recognition that New Mexico has the abundant solar resources to become a net exporter of solar energy and the center of the North American solar industry. These are steps that all 50 states can take and we encourage them to follow Governor Richardson's lead by harnessing their rich solar resources and creating tens of thousands of jobs in the process. New Mexico, with a business friendly environment and world-class solar resources, is quickly becoming an important hub in the Southwest for solar manufacturing, installation and project development with companies such as SCHOTT Solar, eSolar, First Solar and others helping to deploy solar and fuel the local economy. Despite the recession, New Mexico's solar industry truly represents an economic bright spot and Governor Richardson should be commended for helping to stimulate this growth. "Governor Richardson's leadership has helped steer New Mexico toward a strong economic future based on solar energy. With today's announcement, New Mexico can lead the nation toward a bright and secure energy future."

Source: SEIA