Today’s Coalition Government’s announcement effectively kills solar industry above 50kW in the UK

The Coalition Government changes to FITs announced today, due to come into effect in August, effectively kill the UK solar industry for all installations over 50kW in size.

Investments in major UK manufacturing opportunities, like Kingspan’s insulate and generate solar roofing, are now in jeopardy, as investors move away from UK.  Cost-effective and accessible public schemes, in leisure centres, supermarkets and schools will be severely limited in future.  Innovative projects, like Enfinity’s solar rail scheme in Belgium powering 4,000 trains, will be impossible in the UK without urgent intervention.

Solar Trade Association Chairman Howard Johns said; “The Coalition Government have got it seriously wrong on solar and given recent statements in the press DECC Ministers are waking up to this.   But Treasury have crippled DECC’s ability to respond to major developments in solar and DECC itself hasn’t got to grips with this technology.

“Ironically crushing solar makes zero economic sense for UK plc because it will lose us major manufacturing opportunities, jobs and global competitiveness.  It also risks locking us in to more expensive energy options in future.  It is inexplicable that the Treasury can be allowed to damage energy and industrial policy by taking decisions without taking into account the bigger picture.  The Prime Minister urgently needs to intervene to prevent this calamity.”

The UK Government is derailing solar, just as other major economies including China, Japan and Germany are moving solar to the heart of energy policy.  Recent research shows that solar will be competitive with grid electricity in major EU countries in less than five years and solar could easily generate more than 30% of electricity in the UK.

This is a devastating day for solar in the UK. If you have not done so already, please sign our campaign.

Links:

Guardian: Coalition on course to miss carbon emissions targets, says CBI: Powerful business lobbyist says ministers failing on 12 of 13 environmental indicators after series of policy U-turns

DECC: New feed-in tariff levels for large scale solar and anaerobic digestion announced today (Press release 2011/046, 09 JUNE 2011)

 

 

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5 Comments

  1. Posted June 9, 2011 at 5:07 pm | Permalink

    British agriculture is suffering a combination of business-busting supermarket contracts, Climate Change and the European level policy. How can we make best use of the poorly used land ? Solar farms. What does the UK Government do ? Decide not to invest in large solar capacity. What an insane decision ! Solar power “farms” would save the country the expense of subsidies to new nuclear power stations, and avoid backtracking to coal. It would also relieve pressure on mounting imports of Natural Gas. But the UK Government cannot see farther the clutch of big energy company lobbyists in their waiting room. Coming straight after the news that new nuclear power will get a clutch of stealth subsidies, this is the poorest energy decision I’ve heard in a long while. Investment in the solar industry could bring economic stimulus, employment, energy security through decentralistion and mixed resource mix, and high levels of carbon displacement. Solar power deserves taxpayer support.

    • Posted June 14, 2011 at 1:18 pm | Permalink

      We agree – it is a crazy situation to be in. Please spread the word and sign our petition – thanks for your support.

  2. Paul Minihan
    Posted June 13, 2011 at 8:54 am | Permalink

    Every little helps, lets support this growing industry.

    • Posted June 14, 2011 at 1:17 pm | Permalink

      Thanks for your support Paul – please encourage your friends to support us too.
      “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

  3. Posted June 14, 2011 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    The UK government should become as forward and green thinking like Obama. When Obama visited the UK there was talks of a special relationship between both nations. Well it is about time both nations shared special similar views and incentives.

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