As the UK moves to reduce its carbon emissions by 80% in the next 40 years, renewable energy is a vital factor in this goal, with attention increasingly turning to solar‐generated power in the residential, commercial and industrial markets. A consortium of founding companies headed by Reza Shaybani, Managing Director of System Photonics UK Ltd, is pleased to announce the formation of the British Photovoltaic Association – BPVA –a dedicated association for the British photovoltaic (solar‐generated electricity) sector. The BPVA will be formally launched at the Solar in Building Design and Construction conference being held on the 24th of September at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London. 

“While there are associations in Britain that focus on renewable energy, none of these are dedicated to the PV sector,” says Shaybani. “The opportunities afforded by PV technology are enormous, especially with the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s announcement in February of feedin tariffs that came into effect on the 1st April. And, like other major countries pursuing PV, a dedicated association is essential for the full potential to be realised.” 
Key to establishing the BPVA was the support from a group of founding members, which includes a broad spectrum of national and international companies and financial institutions. The BPVA also has the full support of a number of national and global associations connected with the PV industry. Another milestone in the formation of the association is the establishment of the BPVA showroom in The Building Centre located in London, where member companies can showcase their latest products and innovations. 

The BPVA is pleased to announce that it has also recruited the services of James Steynor to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer. Steynor joins an existing team who have been working over the past months to form the backbone of the BPVA under the stewardship of the association’s Chairman – Mr Shaybani. 
“I am personally delighted to have James Steynor join the BPVA at its inception,” says Shaybani. “He brings a wealth of experience from running multi‐national technology companies through to his recent involvement in a publishing business. He brings a freshness to drive the BPVA into a leading and dynamic force maybe not so typical of what one associates with such organisations. 

“The BPVA is a non profit making, fully independent enterprise with a primary goal to act as a catalyst to drive wide spread adoption of PV technology into the UK. This will lead to job creation both in research and in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. Scope of the association’s remit extends at one end to education and increasing awareness of the technology and its benefits to the consumer through to stimulating growth in infrastructure and the technologies behind PV”. 
“The BPVA has great potential to make a difference in the widespread adoption of PV technology in the UK,” adds Steynor. “With forecast growth in PV adoption in the UK set to explode with in excess of 120MW installed capacity by the end of next year – a more than fivefold increase in one year, a major education and awareness programme is needed. Working to maintain the highest possible standard of installation and support infrastructure is also key to achieve, and in all probability exceed, this forecast. 

“I see my role as CEO, given that I have no industry ties, as bringing an impartial view to the association and its growth,” Steynor concludes. “My role is very much to focus on our specific goal of growing the PV market here in Britain while treating all association members equally and without favour.”