Government attempts appeal of lost solar court case 13 January 2012
The Government is in the Court of Appeal today attempting to overturn a High Court ruling that its handling of solar subsidies has been illegal.
The appeal follows a winning case brought by Friends of the Earth alongside two solar companies in December.
The key question now is whether Government is allowed to change solar cash-back rates after they have been set.
Certainty
The success of the scheme depends on people knowing what their repayments will be for 25 years.
But if the Government's appeal is successful, households and community projects installing solar panels today could see repayments changed at any stage - making projects potentially unworkable.
Great success
The 'feed-in tariff' scheme has been a huge success:
- More than 100,000 solar panel projects installed since April 2010
- Ten-fold increase in solar jobs in just 18 months
The Government's actions are putting nearly 30,000 jobs at threat.
Construction firm Carillion recently warned 4,500 staff that their jobs are at risk because of the planned cuts.
This appeal prolongs uncertainty and further erodes industry and consumer confidence.
John Swinney, Director of Business Development, Carillion
The Government's appeal could potentially cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds.
Friends of the Earth believes that instead of pursuing their appeal - which last month a judge warned they have little chance of winning - the government should put solar back on its feet by:
- proposing a new system to reduce solar subsidies in line with falling costs
- topping up the scheme's budget using tax money generated from solar jobs
- providing more support for community solar projects - not less as Government is planning.
Get involved
The Friends of the Earth legal effort needs your support. It's part of our call for energy we can all afford.
© Dave Dugdale
