Solar power in the United Kingdom
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As of 2007, solar power in the United Kingdom (photovoltaic electricity generation) is relatively commercially unattractive due to the moderate level of insolation, cheap grid electricity (compared to other European countries), and low financial incentives from government.
In 2006, the United Kingdom had installed 12.5 MWp of photovoltaic capacity[1] represented just 0.3% of the European total of 3.4GWp. By way of comparison, due to their plans to phase out nuclear power there is a growing (though heavily subsidised) capacity in Germany, where 3.0 GWp had been installed by the end of 2006 (90% of all European capacity).[1] In contrast, solar thermal capacity to supply hot water was expected to grow to 25 MWth in 2006. [2]
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[edit] PV commercialisation
The Energy Saving Trust that administers government grants for domestic photovoltaic systems, the Low Carbon Building Programme, estimates that an installation for an average-sized house would cost between £5,000- £8,000 per kWp installed, with most domestic systems usually between 1.5 and 3 kWp, and yield annual savings between £150 and £200.[3]
In August 2006 there was widespread news coverage in the United Kingdom of the major high street electrical retailers (Currys) decision to stock PV modules, manufactured by Sharp, at a cost of £1,000 per module. The retailer also provides an installation service.
[edit] PV manufacture
- The world's largest PV manufacturer, Sharp Solar, has a site in Llay near Wrexham.[4]
- G42i is building (2007) the world's first commercial scale dye sensitized TiO2 module plant.
- Solar Century offers BIPV modules to fit with standard UK concrete tiles.
[edit] Green Energy for Schools
The Green Energy for Schools program will be providing 100 schools across the UK with solar panels. The first school in Wales was the Tavernspite School, near Whitland, which has received panels worth £20,000, sufficient to produce 3,000kWh of electricity each year.[5]
[edit] See also
- Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
- Energy policy of the United Kingdom
- Green electricity in the United Kingdom
- Renewable energy in the European Union
- UK-ISES
[edit] References
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