South Facing is a UK-based solar PV installation and distribution company with over 6 years of experience. They specialize in designing and installing grid-connected solar PV systems and offer engineering services. Their clients include construction companies, housing associations, government entities, commercial, private and institutional investors. South Facing analyzes the UK solar market drivers and changes, comparing it to markets in Europe. They expect continued growth in the UK market despite economic challenges.

1. South Facing
Solar PV installers & Distributors
Office: No. 1
WHITEHOUSE FARM
BUSINESS CENTRE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
HP2 6HG
Contact: CLIVE COLLISON
t: 01582 840 445
info@south-facing.co.uk
www.south-facing.co.uk

2. South Facing - The people who know PV
We are PV specialists - We know how to squeeze every last drop of electricity
from a system – to deliver the best return on investment for our clients.
South Facing has been designing and installing turnkey grid connected PV
systems for more than 6 years. We offer a full range of PV engineering services.
Our clients include Blue Chip Construction companies, Housing Associations,
Local and Central Government, Commercial, Private & Institutional Investors.

3. What have the UK PV market drivers been
Since we installed our first PV system in 2002, several
different government grant schemes have come and gone.
The Major PV demonstration Programme Stream 1
The Major PV demonstration Programme Stream 2
Low Carbon Building Programme Stream 1
Low Carbon Building Programme Stream 2
Low Carbon Building Programme Phase 1
Low Carbon Building Programme Phase 2
Low Carbon Building Programme Phase 2 Extended
These programmes were under funded
Their erratic organisation created uncertainty in the
marketplace and some customer disappointment.

4. However thanks to new
building regulations and local
planning conditions, the
requirement for PV has grown
significantly – particularly in
new build public projects such
as social housing, education,
and health.
200 units - local planning
requirement for 10% on site
renewables

5. Commercial Development (10% on site
renewables)
Code 6 housing (CSH)

6. What are the expectations for market development
We already perceive a trend towards larger projects both planned and

already in construction.
A handful of MW size roof mounted projects in 2010 and more to follow in

the run up to the 2012 FIT degression - subject to finance, not easily
available at present.
 We predict 100MW per year in 2011
 Some predict 500WW per year by 2015

7. What changes in the market can we expect
This depends very much on the economic fortunes
Today's budget cuts will impact severely on the funding of
all public projects
Public Projects
Central and local government is obliged to make carbon
reductions – therefore despite the austerity drive we
expect to see public projects increase over time.
We already have several large scale retrofit projects for
RSLs in the pipeline
.

8. What changes in the market can we expect
The Commercial sector is waking up to the PV–FIT
With Carbon Reduction Commitments and growing
corporate responsibility the PV FIT offers companies the
financial mechanism to meet these obligations.
We are seeing a steady growth in demand for large scale
commercial installations.
Domestic market shows strong demand and will
increase as awareness grows.

9. What changes in the market can we expect
Finance
We hope to see the arrival of funding from European Banks and
Financial Institutions who already have the financial products &
experience of funding for PV FITs. Eventually UK financial
institutions will follow
Awareness
In Germany, Italy, Spain and other markets it took around two
years for awareness to turn into strong demand.
Demand Patterns
We expect to see the same demand spikes that have developed
in german markets in advance of annual tariff degressions
Module price reductions and inverter supplies normalised from
early 2011
Thin Film
The long awaited arrival of 3rd generation thin film - ideal for use in
the UK diffuse light conditions (2011/12).

10. How does the UK PV market differ
from Europe
In Europe...
The FITs have been designed to deliver
higher ROIs
30%+ in many cases
In the UK...
FIT designed to achieve 5-10% ROI

11. How does the UK PV market differ
from Europe
In Europe...
a large proportion of PV is ground
mounted (Solar Parks)
In the UK...
there will be far fewer ground mounted
systems and many more roof mounted.
 High cost of land in the the UK
(Especially in the sunnier south)
 5MW tariff limit
 Lower tariff - for ground mounted
systems (that don't feed occupied
buildings)
 Planning process is slow and costly

12. How does the UK PV market differ from Europe
In Europe...
When FITs started - finance was readily available economic
confidence was high the infrastructure grew quickly to meet
demand
In the UK...
Economic confidence is low and could hold back PV
development.

13. Thin film on raised
seam Aluminium the
How does UK PV market differ from Europe
In Europe...
There is a common standard for Module accreditation
In the UK...
We have a pay to enter system – MCS. This restricts choice and
keeps out many world class PV modules
Will manufacturers challenge the MCS listings under European
competition laws?
Thin film on
steel sheet

14. Thin film on raised
seam Aluminium the
How does UK PV market differ from Europe
In the UK...
Health & Safety is more rigorous than anywhere in Europe and is
strictly policed
This can add to installation costs - through increased welfare
provision and more stringent working practices
Thin film on
steel sheet

15. South Facing - The people who know PV
We are PV specialists - We know how to squeeze every last drop of electricity
from a system – to deliver the best return on investment for our clients.
South Facing has been designing and installing turnkey grid connected PV
systems for more than 6 years. We offer a full range of PV engineering services.
Our clients include Blue Chip Construction companies, Housing Associations,
Local and Central Government, Commercial, Private & Institutional Investors.

16. South Facing
Solar PV installers & Distributors
Office: No. 1
WHITEHOUSE FARM
BUSINESS CENTRE
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
HP2 6HG
Contact: CLIVE COLLISON
t: 01582 840 445
info@south-facing.co.uk
www.south-facing.co.uk