Renewables trade groups part ways

The formal affiliation between the Renewable Energy Association and the Solar Trade Association will end on 1st January 2015, a joint statement from the trade groups said on Monday.

The split comes over three years after the STA merged with the REA’s Solar Power Group in March 2011 to represent both the solar heating and solar power industries. Independence from one another will allow both to focus on their individual strengths, the statement said.

STA Chairman Jan Sisson said that the solar power has grown from almost nothing at the start of this parliament to providing nearly 10% of all renewable power over the last quarter, with subsidy-free solar now a possibility in the near future.

Speaking on the split Sisson said “The STA and the REA have been key to these achievements, which were unimaginable when we first started working together… Solar has come of age and has become a significant presence in the UK renewable market. As this market has expanded, so too must the STA to meet the new challenges ahead. It is vital that solar energy strengthens its voice, particularly with an eye on the increasingly competitive post-subsidy world.”

Earlier this month the government confirmed plans to cut support for new large scale solar farms above 5MW in size from 1 April 2015, two years ahead of schedule, despite threats from four UK solar companies that they will bring forward a legal case against the government’s decision.

REA chairman Martin Wright said the group will “continue to apply our unparalleled policy expertise and strong relations with Government to the goal of securing a bright future for UK solar energy.”

Despite the split both associations will continue to work together on areas of mutual interest, they said.