Friday 3 July 2015

UK’s solar capacity ‘to exceed 10GW by 2016’

The total solar capacity installed in the UK is forecast to exceed 10GW by the end of the first quarter of 2016.

Finlay Colville, Head of Market Intelligence at Solar Media said: “The UK is currently the most vibrant market for solar installations in Europe.

"This is due to the attractive investment returns from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) available for large-scale solar projects."

He added the increase in solar companies active in the UK’s large-scale sector have been boosted by the arrival of "experienced" European companies.

When the UK’s utility-scale solar sector started in 2011, there were only a few project developers and EPCs (engineering, procurement and construction companies) in the market.

During the last four years however, the number of companies participating in UK solar has grown rapidly, according to Solar Media.

Mr Colville went on: “Coupled with softness in market demand from mainland Europe, almost every global solar supplier is either active within the UK today or looking to enter quickly in the next few months.”

The report shows during the first three months of 2015, 2.3GW of new solar farms were completed with more than 85 project developers, 60 EPCs and 50 completed, site owners.