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PV panels
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Lee Summers, technical director at specialist contractor Alumet Group, said: “[The] High Court ruling will have numerous consequences for the solar industry. It is hoped that some much needed certainty will return and that we can go back to planning and running our business sustainably.”
Chief executive of the British Property Federation , Liz Peace, voiced many businesses’ anxiety when she said: “Ultimately, this decision will provide little solace to those landlords that have been forced to scale back their investment in renewable energy schemes. The efforts of building owners and occupiers will be central to creating a sustainable built environment; it is vital that these industries are given the market confidence they need to muster a business case for investment in energy efficiency and green technologies.”
Photovoltaic company managers were keen to emphasise the advantages of the 43.3p rate extension. Robert Goss, managing director of Conergy UK , said: "It looks likely there will be another boom even bigger than the one last quarter, as businesses and the public sector reinstate plans that were shelved after the cuts were announced, and others bring forward their projects. It will be solar on steroids for two months."
Managing director of solar panel installer BSOLAR, Peter Bladen, detailed the potential earnings of the current scheme. He said: “Install before March and you are looking at an investment which could give a 20% return guaranteed for 25 years. An average system costs around £8,500 to install and will generate up to £1,750 a year in income, paying for itself in around six to eight years and providing profit after that. Simply put these panels are one of the best investments you can make and I’d urge homeowners to act now.”
The industry’s skills council called attention to the need for the industry to hold its nerve. Keith Marshall OBE, chief executive of SummitSkills, said: “It is important that we don’t allow the fledgling industry to stall at this crucial phase in its development. There is no doubt that the FITs have created growth in the solar PV market and the important thing is to keep up that momentum as far as possible."
The government cut the rate of incentive offered from 43.3p per Kwh to 21p in December of last year. This was challenged by Friends of the Earth, who alleged the rate had been lowered without sufficient consultation. The High Court sustained this allegation after which the government took its case to the Court of Appeal.
Energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne said: “We are seeking permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. We have already put before parliament changes to the regulations … to help reduce the pressure on the budget and provide as much certainty as we can for consumers and industry.”
The government has begun a new consultation period and restored the rate to 43.3p per Kwh for panels installed before 3rd March 2012. The rate will return to 21p after this date.
Huhne said: “We want to maximise the number of installations within the available budget rather than pay a higher tariff to half the number of installations. Solar PV can have strong and vibrant future in UK and we want a lasting FITs scheme to support that future and jobs in the industry.”
What do you think? Email rwallerdavies@hamerville.co.uk or join the debate on Twitter @gb_news
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