UK solar PV market could grow five times larger in 2010

Posted by Andrew Marshall

Britain''s solar PV market could see enormous growth this year, as more people invest in photovoltaic solar panels to take advantage of the government''s Feed-in Tariff (FiT), research has shown.

According to a new analysis by accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, the FiT is expected to follow similar successful schemes across Europe by prompting a potential five fold increase in solar PV installations in 2010.

Daniel Guttmann, renewables director with the company, suggested that the anticipated expansion could turn today''s ''cottage industry'' into a much more ''professionally organised'' sector.

He said: ''The PV market will become more sophisticated with more complex products and a greater focus on accountability for system performance.''

Last week, a local, family-run solar PV firm told the Swindon Advertiser that enquiries into its photovoltaic solar panels had trebled since the start of the FiT scheme.

Rain, Wind and Sun''s general manager Tracey Butler told the paper: ''It has gone off the scale as people are now realising what they can get out of it.''