Photovoltaics

Solar photovoltaics has also benefited from the government's long-term energy and climate change related policy goals.  Together with the very favourable academic and industrial R&D environment, this has led to cutting-edge innovations in technologies with potentially huge impacts on the course of future electricity generation.

UK research is conducted in a highly collaborative environment, this is typified by the SUPERGEN sustainable energy programme.  The SUPERGEN PV21 and Excitonic Solar Cell consortia co-ordinate research into a number of areas of futuristic PV design that could lead to disruptive technology breakthroughs.  Commercially orientated research and development is also performed at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC).

Tightening building regulations, including proposals to require all new homes to be carbon neutral by 2016, and initiatives such as the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, are supporting the market for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).  UK companies are producing solar roofing materials such as the solar tile and glazing products like PowerGlaz.  In addition the UK is home to companies with a strong reputation for offering complete PV solutions, such as Solar Century and Dulas, and for designing architecturally elegant installations, like Max Fordham Consulting Engineers and the world renowned architectural practice of Foster + Partners.  The Building Research Establishment is a acknowledged centre of excellence in various aspects of BIPV deployment, including the development of appropriate standards.

The UK is home to a significant and growing PV manufacturing base, including the 220MW/yr Sharp facility in Wrexham and G24i's dye sensitised thin film (DSTF) technology production plant in Cardiff.

Further information on commercial opportunities in solar photovoltaics can be found in the UK Trade & Investment UK Photovoltaics Sector brochure.