Loughborough expert contributes to new paper launched at House of Lords that champions UK solar expertise
A Loughborough University expert has contributed to a new report that champions the role of solar in the UK energy system and the extensive expertise and innovation in UK companies and academia.
Professor Michael Walls, of the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering and Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), has shared his extensive knowledge of photovoltaics – the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials – to help with the creation of ‘The Solar Commission, A bright future: opportunities for UK innovation in solar energy’ paper, which was launched at the House of Lords last week.
The report, which was produced by the Solar Commission, managed by Regen, a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight, and funded by UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), presents analysis and evidence on the opportunities for UK-based innovation in the solar energy sector, in areas including materials sciences, finance, asset management and digital technology.
Professor Walls is a member of the Solar Commission, which is formed of industry leaders, academics and other experts in the field. Commissioners were responsible for investigating the future role of solar power in the energy system, considering the UK’s areas of strength in research and innovation in solar.
Of the paper, Professor Walls said: “The report of the Solar Commission is excellent. It highlights the challenges we need to be meeting to bring down the cost of solar electricity further still. It also draws attention to technical and financial issues faced by solar asset management.
“Innovation is the key and the UK is well placed with its strong science base in universities and a bunch of entrepreneurial companies with great ideas.
“We need to get behind their efforts and take advantage of the enormous business opportunities that exist.”
He continued: "The world market for solar has grown by more than 25% compound each year over the last decade. This report is essential holiday reading for all policymakers worried about energy security and climate change.”
Kerry Hayes, project manager at Regen, said: “The role of the Commission was to stimulate new thinking and encourage collaboration on the role of solar power in the energy system.
“I am delighted to launch this report which is packed of evidence and analysis highlighting the opportunities for UK based organisations and research institutions to lead in innovation in this exciting sector.”
The publication was launched on 9 July to a room of over 70 sector leaders and sustainable energy experts, with Joanna Whittington, Director General for Energy and Security at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy welcoming the paper, which outlined areas where the UK could use its scientific and technical capabilities to play a leading role in innovation and industrial strategy opportunities in solar power.
Regen is a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight whose mission is to transform the world’s energy systems for a zero carbon future: www.regen.co.uk
The Solar Commission was a UKERC funded initiative and details of Commissioners can be found here: https://www.regen.co.uk/project/solar-commission/
The launch took place at an event in the House of Lords hosted by Lord Robin Teverson on 9 July and was attended by 70 industry experts.
You can download the paper here. https://www.regen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Solar-Commission-web.pdf
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
A Loughborough University expert has contributed to a new report that champions the role of solar in the UK energy system and the extensive expertise and innovation in UK companies and academia.
Professor Michael Walls, of the School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering and Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST), has shared his extensive knowledge of photovoltaics – the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials – to help with the creation of ‘The Solar Commission, A bright future: opportunities for UK innovation in solar energy’ paper, which was launched at the House of Lords last week.
The report, which was produced by the Solar Commission, managed by Regen, a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight, and funded by UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), presents analysis and evidence on the opportunities for UK-based innovation in the solar energy sector, in areas including materials sciences, finance, asset management and digital technology.
Professor Walls is a member of the Solar Commission, which is formed of industry leaders, academics and other experts in the field. Commissioners were responsible for investigating the future role of solar power in the energy system, considering the UK’s areas of strength in research and innovation in solar.
Of the paper, Professor Walls said: “The report of the Solar Commission is excellent. It highlights the challenges we need to be meeting to bring down the cost of solar electricity further still. It also draws attention to technical and financial issues faced by solar asset management.
“Innovation is the key and the UK is well placed with its strong science base in universities and a bunch of entrepreneurial companies with great ideas.
“We need to get behind their efforts and take advantage of the enormous business opportunities that exist.”
He continued: "The world market for solar has grown by more than 25% compound each year over the last decade. This report is essential holiday reading for all policymakers worried about energy security and climate change.”
Kerry Hayes, project manager at Regen, said: “The role of the Commission was to stimulate new thinking and encourage collaboration on the role of solar power in the energy system.
“I am delighted to launch this report which is packed of evidence and analysis highlighting the opportunities for UK based organisations and research institutions to lead in innovation in this exciting sector.”
The publication was launched on 9 July to a room of over 70 sector leaders and sustainable energy experts, with Joanna Whittington, Director General for Energy and Security at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy welcoming the paper, which outlined areas where the UK could use its scientific and technical capabilities to play a leading role in innovation and industrial strategy opportunities in solar power.
Regen is a not-for-profit centre of energy expertise and market insight whose mission is to transform the world’s energy systems for a zero carbon future: www.regen.co.uk
The Solar Commission was a UKERC funded initiative and details of Commissioners can be found here: https://www.regen.co.uk/project/solar-commission/
The launch took place at an event in the House of Lords hosted by Lord Robin Teverson on 9 July and was attended by 70 industry experts.
You can download the paper here. https://www.regen.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/The-Solar-Commission-web.pdf
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is equipped with a live in-house broadcast unit via the Globelynx network. To arrange an interview with one of our experts please contact the press office on 01509 223491. Bookings can be made online via www.globelynx.com
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2019 QS World University Rankings, University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019 and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
Loughborough staff, students and alumni make a real difference. They challenge convention, think creatively and find solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing society today and in the future.
