Damian Baker, director of Renenergy, with a photovoltaic solar panel array outside the firm's headquarters in Blofield Heath.
Photo by Simon Finlay
Postponement of solar tariff cuts welcomed
By CHRIS HILL
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
10:57 AM
The region’s renewable energy suppliers have welcomed a High Court ruling which postponed planned cuts to solar tariffs – but warned uncertain times still lay ahead for the industry.
East Anglia’s domestic energy sector has grown dramatically in recent years as homeowners rushed to cash in on a government incentive guaranteeing a payment for every kilowatt generated by solar panels on their roofs.
But the burgeoning industry was thrown into panic on October 31 when energy minister Greg Barker announced the feed-in tariff (FIT) would be halved from 43p to 21p/kWh for systems up to 4kW registered after December 12.
The five-week deadline prompted an unprecedented rush for installations – and a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies who said it was creating “huge economic uncertainty”.
Last Wednesday, Mr Justice Mitting agreed the decision to set the deadline 11 days before the consultation into the scheme had finished was unlawful.
But after the government announced it would appeal against the ruling, the region’s suppliers are once again anxiously awaiting confirmation of changes which could affect their customers and employees.
Damian Baker, managing director of RenEnergy at Blofield Heath, said: “The renewables sector needs to certainly grow, but in order to do this successfully the industry needs to have clear timeframes and policies.
“We are thrilled that the combined power of the solar industry and Friends of the Earth has been effective in calling the government to account for their unlawful behaviour in recent months, and hope this ruling has ensured the government will consider their future actions, and work towards offering more stability and clarity. Unfortunately we will not know the outcome of the review until January 2012, which means there is still short-term uncertainty.”
Mr Baker said if the government lost its appeal, a new “eligibility date” would need to be set around the end of February.
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7 comments
The German government have also reduced their feed-in tariffs. They have been in the forefront of solar energy for many years and also now realise that the costs, far outweigh any gains..even though they have far greater recorded amounts of sunshine than blighty. Unlike the British economy which is lower than snakes belly at the moment, the Germans are doing rather well, however, this has not stopped the loss of 20,000 sun power jobs....boom and bust, then gone forever.
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nrg
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I find it slightly worrying that a democratic elected governments decision is overturned by a judge. This basically confirms my beliefs, that the green movement is underlined by a monolithic elite.
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nrg
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I'm not against folk producing their own energy..but I object to everyday consumers footing this green scam.
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nrg
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Ops mistake in wording. corrected entry follows. What is "unlawful," is the daylight robbery BY the people with these panels who are currently getting 7 times what the normal customer pays their electricity at the lower rate. Even after the reduction to 21p they will still be getting three and a half times the retail value of electricity and NOT one power station will close. Even if Norfolk were to be covered with the blessed things.
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BG
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
What is "unlawful," is the daylight robbery of people with these panels who are currently getting 7 times what the normal customer pays their electricity at the lower rate. Even after the reduction to 21p they will still be getting three and a half times the retail value of electricity and NOT one power station will close. Even if Norfolk were to be covered with the blessed things.
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BG
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
What is "unlawful," is the daylight robbery of people with these panels who are currently getting 7 times what the normal customer pays their electricity at the lower rate. Even after the reduction to 21p they will still be getting three and a half times the retail value of electricity and NOT one power station will close. Even if Norfolk were to be covered with the blessed things.
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BG
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Thanks for your comment. There may be a delay before it appears, but there's no need to resubmit it.************************** "If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
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nrg
Wednesday, December 28, 2011