Solar 63
The government has provided much needed clarity on how it will respond to the imminent court decision on when proposed cuts to Feed-in Tariff incentives can come into effect.
It proposes that, should the appeal be defeated, the December 12th 2011 deadline would move to March 3rd 2012 meaning that anyone installing and registering a system before March 3rd would be eligible for the 43 p/kWh tariff for 25 years (for installations less than 4 kW). After March 3rd these installations would be entitled to the tariff of 21 p/kWh (less than half), which would remain as initially indicated and would not be cut further as some had predicted. Large installations, with between 50 kW and 250 kW of capacity, will see feed-in tariff payments cut to 12.9 p/kWh. Mid-sized installations with 4-10 kW will see tariffs cut from 37.8 p to 16.8 p/kWh, while installations while 10-50 kW will see payments cut from 32.9 p to 15.2 p/kWh.
However, if the government wins its appeal then December 12th as a cut-off date will remain. Graham Russell, managing director of Viessmann, said: “This holding statement is great news for those who had already planned solar PV but became uncertain about it last year. Despite all the confusion and very clouded messages coming from the government, home owners have a chance, if they react quickly, to enjoy higher tariffs of 43.3 p/kWh until March 3rd. Homeowners should still strongly consider installing solar PV as even the worst case scenario of 21 p for 4 kW installations is still a great return and if homeowners act before the March 3rd deadline, they can install without any requirement for their home to meet an EPC level, requiring remedial work for most homes in the UK.“
Green campaign group Friends of the Earth has welcomed government moves to cut solar subsidies under the Feed-in Tariff scheme by early March should their appeal court bid fail and reduce the uncertainty hanging over the industry.
The government has laid draft licence modifications to the Energy Act, which will allow it to reduce the tariff rates in the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) to those laid out in its consultation document for all installations with an eligibility date on or after 3 March 2012. (http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/WMSCH_FITs/)
The Government has today laid out its plans to help get the Solar PV Market moving again by confirming the Feed in Tariff from March this year at 21.0p. This means that regardless of the decision of the Courts,and DECC’s appeal about the 12th December eligibility date, the industry can at last start to plan ahead
The Court of Appeal is yet to pass judgement on the government’s bid (Friday 13 January 2012) to overturn last month’s High Court ruling that its plans to cut solar subsidy payments are illegal. The judges indicated that a decision by the end of this week would be “rather optimistic”.
The Court of Appeal will today [Friday 13 January 2012] hear the government’s challenge to last month’s High Court ruling that its solar subsidy cuts are illegal.
Long-term viability of the UK solar market relies on the gradual reduction in tariffs and government collaboration rather than confrontation.
The Court of Appeal will hear the government’s challenge to last month’s High Court ruling that its solar cuts are illegal on Friday 13 January 2012.
Worcester, Bosch Group is offering installers up to £400 cash back when they install a Worcester product at their own home.
Friends of the Earth is urging ministers to focus on putting the solar industry back on a stable footing after energy minister Greg Barker confirmed via Twitter yesterday(Tuesday 3 January 2012) that the government has decided to try to appeal a ruling that its solar cuts are illegal – at a potentially huge cost to taxpayers.
A German company, which makes the mounting systems for solar panels, is looking forward to a bright future in Coventry.
The Local Government Association (LGA) said ministers had “undermined confidence” in their “green agenda”.
The Government is undermining confidence in energy policy and hurting the UK solar industry by rushing through panicked changes to Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) without adequate notice to consumers and installers alike, according to a new report by MPs on two influential select committees.
Energy Minister Greg Barker has said he disagrees with a High Court ruling that the Government’s plans to reduce the Feed-in Tariff for solar PV were unlawful.
Plans to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes were yesterday ruled legally flawed by the High Court.
Less than 10 hours after a Mr Justice Mitting ruled that the Government’s cut of the Feed in Tariff was “Legally Flawed”, a joint report by two Parliamentary Select Committees said the panicked changes could have a “Fatal Impact” on the UK Solar Industry.
Yorkshire-based Ploughcroft, solar panel installer and renewable energy trainer, has won a prestigious award for its popular new Eco Roof Visitors Centre.
With Christmas just around the corner, more householders than ever before are looking forward to a ‘green’ Christmas thanks to the growing popularity of wood burning stoves, says Broseley Fires.
Chancellor George Osborne’s recent Autumn Statement confirmed a £200 million introductory offer to help boost the Green Deal when it eventually comes in to force. The consultation period for the scheme is due to end on 18 January 2012, with a number of points still needing to be finalised.
High Court Judge Mitting rules that the Government plans to cut Feed In Tariffs for Solar PV are “Legally flawed”, and subject to a judicial review.
The Government announces immediate plans to appeal against the decision…
More to follow
Government plans to cut financial incentives for solar electricity have created “huge economic uncertainty” and are “manifestly unlawful”, the High Court was told today.
Stasik will be responsible for managing the solar PV and solar thermal technical division whilst also leading the training programme at the company’s award winning Wagner Academy solar training school.