Renewable Energy Installer December/January 2016 | Page 3

REI – the leading magazine for the renewables sector since 2008 Editorial panel members The final curtain A s I put this last issue of 2015 to bed, and a New Year now beckons for us all, it would seem a propitious moment to also mark the conclusion of my time as editor. Having proudly served this sector since January 2012, it is a wrench to leave behind what I know, but, alas, fresh journalistic challenges await me elsewhere. Four years is a long time where renewables is concerned. I recall that when I wrote my first articles as a fresh-faced staff writer, domestic PV was at its zenith as homeowners bagged themselves 43p/kWh, Green Deal had yet to be inflicted upon us, and Amber Rudd was still a relatively innocuous backbencher. In that time we have also seen just under 700,000 renewable installations registered on the MCS database. It hasn’t all been plain sailing, of course, as constant policy upheaval has hindered sustained growth and investment in the sector, and successive governments have failed miserably in providing a solid bedrock on which the industry can thrive. The litany of subsidy withdrawals endured of late now pose the single biggest challenge to readers as the entire supply chain reluctantly hauls itself into the post-subsidy era, years ahead of schedule. But, from my vantage point commentating on this sector, I can say with full confidence that there is absolutely no shortage of the talent, innovation and business acumen required to prevail in the testing new business climate, and convince customers to still go green. Of course no editor can work properly without a first class team behind them and I must thank the administration, circulation, production and sales teams I have had the great pleasure to work with. My gratitude also goes to a superb team of regular contributors, who have done so much to enhance REI’s reputation as the industry’s leading magazine. I leave REI in good hands as we enter this brave, new era and editorial enquiries should now be directed to new editor Stuart Qualtrough ([email protected]). Andy Buchan, CEEC, Future Renewable Energy Dave Sowden, SEA Garry Broadbent, Lifestyle Heating John Kellett, Mitsubishi Electric Paul Joyner, SBS Liz McFarlane, Zenex Solar Tim Pollard, Plumb Center Phyllis Boardman, Green Deal Consortia Robert Burke, HETAS Gideon Richards, MCS Contents NEWS KNOWLEDGE 04 News Britain loses AAA World Energy Council rating 06 Analysis UK to miss 2020 renewables target 09 Profile End of year review 17 Solar PV 4eco on the rise of self-consumption 18 Solar thermal RHI must go, says Navitron 22 Training & development 23 The year ahead Predictions for 2016 24 Commercial 26 Data 28 Case studies 30 My working week Christopher Hill, Logstor OPINION 10 REI’s regular MCS column 13 Q&A Innasol 13 Two minutes with... Vaillant UK ISSN 2049-3525 Editor: Paul Stephen Sales director: Jonathan Hibbert Circulation manager: Sandra Curties Published by: Ashley & Dumville Publishing Ltd, Caledonian House, Tatton Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6AG Advertising Tel: [phone] Email: [email protected] Editorial/press releases Tel: [phone] Email:[email protected] www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk Sign up for our digital newsletter TODAY by visiting Don’t forget to follow us @REI_digital Our partner organisations www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk | 3