Renewable Energy Installer February 2015 | Page 20

Opinion
By guest columnist Bill
Wright, head of energy
solutions, Electrical
Contractors’ Association
2014 and 2015 at the BRE
National Solar Centre
Steve Pester, BRE, looks ahead
to an action-packed year for the
organisation in 2015
he NSC had a
fascinating and
busy year in 2014,
taking on 3 new
members of staff, plus calling
on our Associate network of
old friends, in order to meet the
demand – highlights include:
T
W
hat a year 2014 has been for the
renewable energy sector. Wind
power is now providing up to 20
percent of demand, and the industry is still
expanding. In total there are now over 8GW
of wind turbines installed, equivalent to about
four very large conventional power stations.
There is also a stop go attitude to PV
installations. Despite the lowering of Feed-in
Tariffs, PV is still an attractive proposition
and the government’s aspiration is to have
up to 20GW installed within the next ten
years. There is some discouragement of
solar farms, which many see as a blot on the
landscape, but in fact they can be installed on
set aside land and even sheep can be grazed
around the panels in a field. There is active
encouragement of solar PV on commercial and
industrial roof tops which seems to have great
potential as the power generated goes directly
to the building on which it is installed and
offsets the electricity bill.
Who could have foreseen the crash in the
price of a barrel of oil from $110+ to around
the $60 mark? This provides an economic
bonus, but will it affect the renewables
industry? The industry should remain buoyant
as the reduction in oil price will not be for ever
and there is a genuine commitment to reduce
carbon emissions which the renewable energy
industry does exceedingly well.
Whatever happens, this year, with its
general election, will be as interesting as ever.
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Inputting to the DECC
Solar Strategy
Publishing guides on
planning for large scale
systems and biodiversity on solar farms, as well as more
technical documents, such as safe specification of DC isolators
Contributing to the forthcoming IET Code of Practice for Solar
Installations
Working with the Met Office to improve solar yield predictions
Building a varied portfolio of consultancy work, ranging from
wind loading investigations and fire prevention to assisting
councils and social housing organisations with their roll-out of
solar projects
Providing some free technical support for local businesses in
Cornwall
In 2015 we expect to continue the research and publishing
activities, but we are also ramping up our consultancy offerings, so
as to become more financially independent. For example we will be
expanding our project support and due diligence services: feasibility,
tender support, assessments of suppliers and technology, design
reviews, inspections and independent QC roles.
Alongside this we will be:
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Assisting DNOs with storage trials, writing guidance, inputting
to standards, etc
Inputting into government policy
Conducting investigations into fires involving PV, and other
faults or issues
Providing supporting for the roll-out of 1 GW of solar on
government estate
Doing further work on our outdoor test site (much of the
planning has been completed; we are currently seeking the
next tranche of capital to take the project forward).
If you have a product or research idea, or would like some help from
us, why not come and see us at Ecobuild?
20 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk