Renewable energy bodies outgrow affiliation

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) and Solar Trade Association (STA) are to go their separate ways, ending their formal four-year affiliation.

The two associations became affiliated in March 2011, when the STA merged with the REA's Solar Power Group and relaunched with representation of both the solar heating and solar power industries.

Next year the two associations will become independent once again, allowing them both to focus on their core strengths.

REA Chairman Martin Wright explained: “Solar heating and solar power are vitally important technologies, with the potential to reduce energy costs for UK households and businesses. Our members want us to strengthen our offer for these important technologies. This is what we're going to do, by building on the excellent capacity in our existing On-site and Renewable Power sector groups. We 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.

STA Chairman Jan Sisson added: “Solar power has come from nowhere at the start of this Parliament to providing nearly 10% of all renewable power over the last quarter. As long as we can secure a more stable policy framework, subsidy-free solar is now on the horizon.”