New UK solar campaign launched 'We Support Solar'

The UK Solar PV Manufacturers Association launch new campaign to promote the use of solar power in the UK.

The campaign 'We Support Solar' (www.wesupportsolar.net) has already attracted the support of MPs on all sides of the House of Commons, and is endorsed by campaign groups Friends of the Earth, the World Future Council, Greenpeace and the Green Alliance, as well as the European Photovoltaic Industry Association and Renewable Energy Association.

The launch of "We Support Solar" comes at a critically important time for the development of solar power in the UK with Feed-in tariffs for solar PV and other renewable electricity technologies due to be launched in a little over a year's time.

MPs endorsing the campaign include former Labour Ministers, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP and Shadow Conservative Ministers Greg Barker MP and Bill Wiggin MP.

The full list of Parliamentary messages of support for today's launch can be viewed on the website.

Michael Meacher MP (Lab - Oldham West and Royton and former Environment Minister) said: "Solar PV is a well established, proven and robust technology that has potential to make a significant contribution in the UK.

Ed Miliband's decision to introduce a feed-in tariff for solar PV and other small-scale renewable electricity technologies is potentially a real turning point for the UK solar PV sector.

It gives the UK a vital new policy tool that should help to maximise the contribution from solar PV to our demanding renewable energy target".

Steve Webb MP (Lib Dem Northavon and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary) said: "Solar PV is a proven technology in the UK and one that can play a big role in making our towns and cities greener.

That's why we're urging the Government to set appropriate feed-in tariff levels for solar PV, to encourage investment in the UK industry, to boost green jobs in British solar PV manufacturing, and to maximise the contribution that this technology can make to the 2020 target".

Colin Challen MP (Lab Morley and Rothwell and Chairman of the All Party Climate Change Group) said: "As the UK gears up to delivering our 2020 target of 15 % renewable energy, we will need big contributions from all renewable energy technologies.

Solar PV has immense potential in the UK.

The Government's welcome decision to introduce a feed-in tariff for solar PV and other renewable electricity technologies now needs to be followed with tariff levels that can actually drive forward these technologies quickly in the UK market".

Peter Luff MP (Con Mid Worcestershire and Chairman Business and Enterprise Committee) said: "Both solar photovoltaics and solar hot water technologies have great potential in the UK.

Solar energy can play a significant part in helping to deliver our 2020 renewables target.

That's why I'm very pleased to support this new campaign".

Peter Hain MP (Lab Neath and former Energy Minister) said: "The vast potential of solar PV in the UK is undeniable.

But what the sector needs above all else is a coherent, long-term policy framework that plays to the UKs strengths in building integrated PV and our solar design and engineering expertise.

The UK can still be a global leader in solar PV with enormous benefits in terms of exports, jobs and investment for the UK economy".

Welcoming the Parliamentary support for solar power, Andrew Lee of Sharp UK and the UK PV Manufacturers Association said: "We Support Solar" has been launched to raise the profile of solar power in the UK.

Solar power is a proven, reliable, effective and easy to install technology.

The Government's own modelling suggests that it can make a significant contribution to the UKs 2020 renewable energy targets and at domestic level solar power is a highly cost-effective solution for delivering low carbon homes".

Bruce Cross Chairman of the REA PV group said: "The Renewable Energy Association PV Group strongly supports the objectives of the 'We support Solar' campaign.

Photovoltaics have a significant contribution to make to meeting the UK Renewable Energy Targets with the added benefit of creating employment opportunities.

The government can encourage the growth of a strong UK PV industry by setting a suitable and sustained level of feed-in-tariff.

This will establish market continuity and therefore create the climate for investment which UK PV companies need".

'We Support Solar' is calling for those in support of solar, from individuals and businesses, to sign up on the website www.wesupportsolar.net.

The group will shortly be announcing their recommendations for an effective Feed-in tariff (FIT) in the UK.

Visit the website to learn more about solar and the benefits of a FIT.

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