Funding for popular solar scheme slashed31 October 2011
80,000 solar installations are up and running and 22,000 new jobs have been created - so why is the Government killing this hugely successful scheme?
Energy Minister Greg Barker confirmed today that funding for home-produced solar power will be slashed by over 50% for installations after early December.
The popular feed-in tariff scheme pays people and businesses for energy they produce and feed into the grid - from renewables like solar power.
Cutting the tariff will mean a lower payback for anyone that installs new solar panels - which is likely to deter people from making their own electricity.
And solar schemes in social housing may not happen at all.
No shining example
The Government based its damaging decision on the falling price of solar equipment.
Greg Barker says he wants to make subsidies fairer- but the new rates mean that people are unlikely to be able to afford solar panels.
Donna Hume, Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
Friends of the Earth agrees that subsidies can be cut - but only in line with falling costs. Cutting too deeply will ruin fledgling businesses and bring huge job losses.
Instead, the Government should increase people's ambitions for participating in feed-in schemes and support a green revolution.
Friends of the Earth's latest research suggests that energy prices will only fall if we break away from the grip of the Big Six energy companies.
Fossil fuels are dirty and expensive. Consumers are being ripped off while energy providers cash in huge profits.
Take action
Please sign our Final Demand petition and call for:
- A public inquiry into the power of the Big Six energy companies.
- Urgent action to stop the Government killing off our clean British energy providers.
© Friends of the Earth
