National Solar Centre Proposed For Cornwall

BRE in partnership with Cornwall
Council, has created an innovative proposal to establish a National Solar
Centre in Cornwall that will drive the future development of the PV industry
and give confidence to end users and generate economic growth in the region.  This proposal reflects the commitment to
solar PV demonstrated by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in
particular the continuation of the feed in tariff and acknowledgement that
solar has a role in our future energy mix.

Working with the established solar
industry, the centre will collect data and evidence from a range of MCS and
FITs related PV installations from across the country. This new body of
knowledge will be used to optimise the long term performance of PV technologies create best quality assurance, design
advice, product knowledge and technical standards provide a code of practice
for construction and solar industries support Building Integrated PV market
development create a hub of solar expertise that will enable the sector to
perform to its highest potential.

 "We are currently applying for European
Regional Development Convergence funding to establish the centre. If our bid is
successful we will create a fantastic project that will act as a catalyst for
green growth producing long term economic and environmental benefits not only
for Cornwall and the South West, but for the UK" says Nick Tune, the BRE
Director who is leading on the project. 

The EDRF Convergence programme is an
EU investment initiative that aims to improve the conditions for growth and
development in the least-developed regions of the European Union. It awarded
funding in excess of £450m to Cornwalland the Isles of Scilly for the period
2007-2013.

 Cllr Julian German, Cornwall
Council's Portfolio Holder for Localism, Sustainability and Devolution, said '
We are delighted that BRE's proposal has received the backing of Government and
others, but it is imperative that we secure the investment funds through the
EDRF Convergence scheme before the centre can move forward.  As a signatory of the Covenant of Mayors and
a Leadership in Energy Action and Planning region, we understand the need to
translate good words into better actions. 
Cornwall Council will actively play its role in supporting the proposed
creation of a National Solar Centre in Cornwall."

 The National Solar Centre would be
delivered as part of a broader initiative to establish the St Austell area of
mid-Cornwall, as a hub for the development and manufacture of low carbon
technologies and products.