Peter Bladen, Managing Director of Halsall based BSOLAR said: “I’m fully in support of the Friends of Earth, the slashing of financial incentives for solar panel installations is threatening jobs and the UK’s progression to being more green.”
Friends of the Earth have announced their intention to take the government to court over moving forward the date ‘Feed in tariffs’ will be cut.
"Feed-in tariffs" were introduced to motivate people to invest in solar panels by paying people for the electricity they generate. Currently it stands at 43p per kilowatt-hour but the tariff will reduce it to 21p.
The date for the tariff change was set at April 2012 but was last month moved forward to the 12 December, leading to thousands of organisations pulling out of solar energy schemes, and some of the biggest solar panel producers threatening to leave the UK if the changes go through.
Peter Bladen said: “Solar panels will still be a good investment after the rates go down but the payback will be longer which will have an impact on the sales and installation of solar panels. The Government’s actions have been irresponsible, because they’ve slashed the FITs rates with little notice, which has shaken the stability of the sustainable market. Installers are currently working 24/7 to install panels before the rates fall, but when they do they predict there could be a dip in sales, which will put jobs at risk. Firms will be thinking that if they do this to solar they will do it to other renewables, and will be less likely to create new jobs and invest heavily in the sustainable sector.”
He added: “The argument by the Government about running out of money is false. The additional funds to pay for renewable installations comes from the power companies, they pass on the bills to all customers in terms of a few pence each, exactly the same as all their other infrastructure investments. There is no real reason that the FIT rates needed to be cut.
“The Government could have also cut rates by 20 or 25% then cut again later, giving the industry time to prepare, rather than making a sudden change which has led to firms losing contracts and damaging the stability of the renewable industry in the UK.”
For more information about having solar panels installed, please contact BSOLAR on 0845 009 8642 or visit www.bsolar.co.uk
Bamber Bridge paedophile sentenced to jail
(Thu 17/05)
Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh meet Burnley College students
(Thu 17/05)
Post a comment