The newly-established Solar Trade Association Scotland (STAS) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s new plan to de-carbonise the country’s heat system (*)
The Solar Trade Association Scotland represents both solar thermal and solar PV companies in Scotland. The group was set up in March 2015 and is working with the Scottish Government to increase solar deployment in Scotland.
John Forster, Chairman, STAS, said: “The Solar Trade Association Scotland thoroughly welcomes this new heat statement. Renewable and zero carbon heat are a key part of meeting the Scottish Government’s renewables targets.”
“However it is important to recognise the major contribution that solar thermal hot water heating can make to renewable heat and fuel poverty. Solar thermal works very well in Scotland – it works in daylight and doesn’t require direct sunshine or high temperatures as many think.”
“As buildings become more and more energy efficient, hot water is becoming a larger proportion of household heating bills, and solar thermal can help bring those down.”
“And supporting Scottish solar thermal supports Scottish jobs, with AES Solar a long-standing solar thermal manufacturer based in Forres, Sunamp a heat storage systems manufacturer based in Macmerry and MacDonald Engineers, cylinder and thermal store manufacturer, based in Fife.”
Solar thermal is currently supported by the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
The STA is working with authorities to strengthen the British solar thermal market which has suffered over the last five years. The STA is pressing for solar thermal that is used for space heating (as opposed to just hot water heating) to also be eligible for support from the Renewable Heat Incentive, as well as working with both the Holyrood and Westminster governments on other barriers.
For more information:
‘Heat Policy Statement – Towards decarbonizing heat: maximizing the opportunities for Scotland’
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