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| The
UK’s manufacturing industry is set to reap the benefits of
increasing solar photovoltaic (PV) sales following the
introduction of the Feed-in tariff earlier this year. Solar
PV system component manufacturers in the UK will benefit
from the more than doubling of UK demand for solar PV
systems, as forecast for 2010 by the European Photovoltaics
Industry Association. |
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One company set to benefit is
Hydro Aluminium Extrusion UK Ltd (Hydro), a supplier of
aluminium and aluminium products, providing solar PV framing
and other components. |
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Norwegian-owned Hydro has
extrusion plants in Wales and Newcastle, and currently
employs 300 people with a turnover of £80 million in the UK.
The company works with Solarcentury, the UK’s leading solar
energy company, to provide components for its ‘Energy Roof’
and ‘Fast Sun’ systems. Solarcentury has already felt the
impact of the Feed-in tariff, with a 20% rise in staff
numbers since April as homeowners rush to take advantage of
the £1,000 annual income from producing their own
electricity. These growth figures match those in Germany and
France since the introduction of their incentive schemes. |
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Spencer Melia, Fabrication Sales
Manager of Hydro Aluminium Extrusion UK Ltd said "Hydro
works with Solarcentury to provide the best solutions to get
solar PV onto buildings. Solar PV products currently
represent an important sector for our business and we’re
predicting significant growth in this market. It’s important
that people realise solar power is not just about the
panels, but the frame and system components too. R&D and new
product development of the type pioneered by Solarcentury is
allowing solar PV to go on an increasing range of buildings,
and at faster speed bringing down labour costs and affecting
overall system price and appeal." |
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Solar photovoltaic energy demand
has grown consistently by 20-25% per annum over the past 20
years. The photovoltaic solar industry now globally
generates around £6.7 billion in revenue. This includes the
sale of solar modules, its associated equipment and the
installation of systems. |
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