Light at end of the tunnel for solar industry

19 January 2012

The future of solar power in the UK was thrown into doubt last year when Government hastily slashed solar support.

In December the High Court declared the Government's actions illegal.

But earlier in January the Government appealed this decision - creating uncertainty for the future of solar in the UK in the process.

Step forward

After pressure from Friends of the Earth, today the Government finally announced its plans.

It confirmed what the level of solar support will be from 3 March - irrespective of the outcome of the appeal.

Friends of the Earth welcomes this step forward because it allows solar companies to plan for the future - something they could not do until now.

Planned and legal

Friends of the Earth agrees that the solar cash back - known as feed-in tariffs - should be reduced as the cost of installing solar falls.

But we want Government to produce a planned and legal way of reducing payments. Today's announcement is a good first step.

What next?

Whatever the Court of Appeal decide, Government must do more to put solar on a stable footing:

• Top up the budget for solar - using taxes already generated by solar jobs
• Increase support for community and social housing projects
• Scrap plans to make only the most energy efficient houses eligible for solar panels - meaning 9 out of 10 could miss out

Final demand

A thriving solar industry is good for all of us, creating jobs and helping to reduce our reliance on dirty, imported fuels.

Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign so far.

If you haven't already, please add your voice to our petition for energy we can all afford.