Chapter 1 – Introduction

• Why a book on solar energy is timely
• The structure of the book
• Current trends
• The future

Chapter 2 – Climate Change and Its Rising Importance

• Targets, Emissions & The science

Chapter 3 – Government Policy and the Legislative Framework on Climate Change

• The key policy papers – Roadmap and Carbon Plan
• The legislative framework that has been introduced, from the Climate Change Act to changes to planning and building regulations

Chapter 4 - The Position of Local Authorities

• The traditional role of the local authority, post-recession
• The costs of energy management and energy procurement & the need for income
• The alignment of the green and corporate agendas
• Localism, Big Society and new powers of general competence

Chapter 5 – Developing a Strategy

• The need for a fully comprehensive climate change strategy
• How to prepare a Renewable Energy Strategy
• A ten year long term plan?
• Targets and capacity
• Which of the three routes: Just the local authority itself, community level or the wider economy of the area?

Chapter 6 – Energy Efficiency v Renewables

• The hierarchy of climate change, including saving energy, improving energy efficiency and creating renewable energy
• The link being made by the government between renewables and energy efficiency

Chapter 7 – Solar Power

• What it is and how it works
• The extent of solar energy

Chapter 8 – Financial Incentives

• Introduction to financial incentives
• The Renewables Obligation, the FIT & the RHI

Chapter 9 – Developing a Financial and Business Case

• Why the business case is important
• Essential elements of business cases and financial cases
• How to calculate a return on solar
• Elements to be included in the financial modelling

Chapter 10 – Funding a Project and Options for Delivery

• The different ways that projects can be funded, included borrowing, joint ventures or a public offering

Chapter 11 – Regulatory Issues

• The national grid & importance of the DNO and other players like OFGEM
• Planning & Procurement issues
• The MCS scheme

Chapter 12 – Land based or buildings mounted?

• The issues between land based solar projects and buildings based
• An analysis of land based systems
• An analysis of buildings based projects and issues with each

Chapter 13 – Developing a Communications Strategy and Dealing with Community Benefit

• The need for a good communications strategy
• The role played by such an engagement with the public
• Examples of good practice & case study
• Links to planning permission and public acceptance

Chapter 14 – Delivering a Solar PV Project

• Scoping the project
• Political and managerial support
• Formal Approvals
• The time line
• The business case
• The risk matrix
• The procurement exercise
• Technical issues
• Commissioning

Chapter 15 – Conclusions

• What does success look like?

Appendices

• Glossary of terms
• Bibliography
• Further reading and references