STA Scotland will focus on advising and developing policy north of the border with the Scottish government.
Scotland already has 35,000 homes and 600 businesses currently benefiting from solar power. The STA estimates that there are 25,000 hectares of south-facing commercial rooftops that could be put to use generating clean energy.
John Forster, chairman of Forster Energy and newly-appointed chair of STA Scotland, said: “I am thrilled to be leading STA Scotland. I currently sit on the STA UK Board and I am an active member of the STA’s New Build Working Group. Striving towards a more sustainable, green and energy efficient Scotland has been a passion of mine for a long time and I am delighted to be in a position to help make this happen.”
Paul Barwell, CEO of the STA, said: “I’m delighted to launch STA Scotland which has been set up to give our member companies north of the border the support and clout to drive the agenda forward for both PV and solar thermal hot water heating.”
Fergus Ewing, Scottish minister for business, energy and tourism, added: “The launch of STA Scotland provides a valuable asset for Scotland as we work towards meeting our 2020 renewable energy target. STA Scotland will undoubtedly contribute to the Scottish government’s target to generate the equivalent of 100 percent of Scotland’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.”