Step forward for green energy - but solar future unclear10 February 2012
The Government has announced its plans to reform solar subsidy payments.
After its plans last year to slash support for solar energy- which Friends of the Earth successfully challenged in court - there were a number of positive steps announced:
- More money in place to increase the amount of solar energy produced
- A target was set to massively increase solar production by 2020. If the target is met this will mean that Britain produces 22 times the amount of solar we currently do.
These new proposals are a significant improvement on the Government's original plans, with Ministers securing increased cash and a commitment to much more solar power by the end of the decade.
Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins
Big challenges remain
While the steps taken are welcome news compared to last year's plans, A number of worries still remain:
- It's unclear if the industry can cope with the increased level of cuts to solar subsidies
- There needs to be more money given to schools, estates and communities that create green energy
- It is not clear if the Governments plans will be enough to deliver the ambitious targets they have set
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© Dave Dugdale
