The comprehensive PWC and Solar Trade Association (STA) survey also shows support for tax breaks to re-boot the struggling UK solar sector as the global market accelerates. The 238 solar industry firms surveyed said they collectively employed 3,665 people now compared to 5,362 a year ago, a fall of 32 per cent. 4 in 10 firms are being forced to either exit the solar market entirely or diversify into other markets to keep their heads above water. Extrapolating the survey findings across the UK solar industry, the figure for job losses over the past year could exceed 12,500 - around one third of previous total employment in the solar industry, the Solar Trade Association found.
Solar deployment this year is expected to fall from an average of 1 GW of past 5 years, to less than 300 MW this year, a 75 percent drop.
The STA has long been concerned by the lack of an industrial strategy for the UK solar industry despite solar increasingly dominating global energy investments. The UK Government is today allocating only 1 percent of new renewable energy project expenditure to solar power under the Feed-in Tariff. The new Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) therefore represents a very welcome opportunity to take a strategic approach to a winning and relatively cheap technology;
“The survey shows very regrettable damage to the fabric of the British solar industry and the need for prompt Government action” said Leonie Greene, Head of External Affairs at the Solar Trade Association “Shockingly, since we undertook the survey, business investors in solar are set to be hit with a 6-8 fold rise in business rates. We urge new Ministers, rather than increase the tax burden of going solar, please reward investment with sensible solar tax breaks consistent with action on climate change. International experience of tax breaks is solid, and the industry is clearly behind this. There are many good economic reasons to back the British solar including minimising the cost of decarbonising our power supply to retain competitiveness, while creating exceptionally large numbers of jobs. Our economy faces a major challenge post Brexit; if we want to prosper in future we must strengthen the UK stake in booming global markets – they don’t come bigger than solar.”
John Dashwood, PwC Head of Renewables, Assurance, added that the survey results show there will be a structural shift in the market and solar players need to consider alternative products, services and markets. The PwC report highlights the kind of innovation that can secure a positive future for solar energy in the UK. The solar industry undoubtedly faces some serious challenges, but it has already proved resilient and adaptable.
Nearly half of the respondents see new build as a key sub market this year. Moves by the Scottish Government to improve new build standards are creating opportunities and it appears that the new London Mayor will also move to support solar deployment across the capital. One in eight respondents are also looking to take their skills overseas to secure business opportunities, with Africa and North America the key markets they are looking to expand into.
The solar industry has had a tumultuous year. Deployment in domestic solar has dropped 80 percent for domestic solar under the Feed-in Tariff compared to this time last year. Commercial solar roofs deployment under FITs is capped at just 15 MW per quarter and there is uncertainty about the extent to which Corporate Social Responsibility concerns will sustain investment in the short term. The Renewables Obligation was in effect closed to solar in July 2015. No future auction rounds under Contracts-for-Difference for Solar are anticipated.
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