The BRE National Solar Centre, in St Austel, has been launched. It will offer training services and conduct research thereby ‘playing a pivotal role in making Britain a global competitor in the solar industries’.
Launched by Greg Barker, Minister for Energy & Climate Change, he said: “Solar is coming of age. WWe have the ability and, more importantly, the ambition to see a ten fold increase in solar power by 2020.
The new National Solar Centre (NSC) would play a pivotal role in supporting the solar industry not only in the UK but with international renewable energy associations.
It would help establish infrastructure for industry growth in developing technical standards, due diligence, best practice planning guides, training facilities and driving innovation through R&D.
Innovation, of course, was fundamental to the development of any industry ‘if we are to realise our growth potential and break down the barriers to deployment. There are really exciting opportunities for the solar industry and we’re seeing them happening now.’
Greg Barker said: “We welcome the commitment which BRE has shown in driving this forward and value the vast experience they will bring.
“Making concrete links between the solar PV industry and the building and construction sector will assist the solar sector in taking its place in the mainstream generation market.”
More information: www.decc.gov.uk