Scotland's Economy

Solar Feed in Tariffs

January 25, 2012 by Fergus Ewing MSP No Comments | Category Energy

Today the UK Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) lost its appeal to the UK High Court on Solar Feed In Tariffs.

On 31 October 2011, DECC published a consultation on the tariffs, proposing to halve the amount domestic owners of solar panels get for supplying electricity to the national grid for all solar panels installed after 12 December 2011 – ten days before the consultation had even closed.

At the time, I wrote to Chris Huhne asking him to reconsider, and met with industry representatives in Scotland who explained the damaging impact the cut was having on Scottish businesses.

A legal challenge was mounted by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies and on 21 December 2011, a court ruled that the cut was “legally flawed”. Today’s ruling upholds this.

I welcome the decision by the High Court ,the proposals have had a serious impact on businesses and on confidence inScotland.

In the light of this decision, I welcome the steps taken by Greg Barker to provide certainty on the way forward with a revised date of 3 March 2012.  It is crucial that we start to rebuild confidence in the market, both for householders and investors,..

I would urge him to again give serious consideration to the proposals I have already put to Chris Huhne to make an exception for social housing projects so that those who can least afford it do not face tariff cuts, and to remove the unduly restrictive energy efficiency rating proposed which may deter people.

Tags: climate change, DECC, national grid, solar panels

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