Tory anti-solar laws blamed as number of new power installations plummets
The number of people putting solar panels on their homes is now at a six-year low [Image: Rex].
This Writer has been out on people’s doorsteps, canvassing ahead of next month’s local elections, and I can report that there is deep concern about the way the Conservative government has treated solar power.
People think the Tories have financial interests in fossil-fuelled energy generation and have legislated to prevent sustainable energy from becoming profitable.
Can anybody deny that something crooked is going on?
The number of solar panels being installed in the UK has fallen by more than 80 per cent, according to an analysis of new figures in the latest sign that the industry is being strangled by government policies despite being one of the cheapest sources of electricity.
The Solar Trade Association (STA), which produced the figures based on recently released government statistics, found the first three months of this year had seen a catastrophic collapse in the number of solar panels being put up following the withdrawal of virtually all subsidies, a stunning business rate hike of up to 800 per cent and the imposition of “red tape”.
Overall, there was an 81 per cent decline in new solar panel capacity compared to the average over 2016.
The STA said it was particularly concerned by a 65 per cent drop in the number of large-scale solar schemes on hospitals, factories and other large buildings, which may well have been caused by the business rate increase. The figures equate to just one large factory roof having solar panels fitted every month in the whole of the country.
The number of new solar farms, producing large amounts of cheap and green electricity for the grid, has also crashed after being “shut out of a heavily distorted electricity market”. New installations are running at about an eighth of the level in January last year.
Under government rules, solar has not been allowed to bid against other power generators for contracts to supply electricity at a guaranteed price even though it is in a position to save money for consumers.
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It would be interesting to know how many MPs, particularly Tory ones, have interests in fossil fuels or nuclear power. I’m in the US for a few weeks with one of my sons who lives here and the blatant corruption is really scandalous. What with the three brexiteers in the cabinet and the US connections at least two of them have (Atlantic Bridge and all that) one wonders just how long it will be before all renewable sources of energy are squeezed out of the UK picture as in parts of America.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/06/state-schools-face-solar-tax-hike-but-private-schools-exempted
State schools face solar tax hike – but private schools exempted
Campaigners say the government intends to charge business rates for small solar installations on schools, but academies, private and free schools will be exempt due to charitable status
Yes a definite Tory stench pervades the parliamentary air. Whilst I hate the way Planning allow these hideous monstrosities on roofs of old buildings yet jump up and down for to many garden sheds what I like is the fact we have some alternatives and cheaper than the present cartel. One minute we are all green and subsidising in our electric rates next thing its reverse engines. Would be good to have something positive as to what really works well and what does not. Enough windfarms to say this is good use or a waste of space and money.
“The number of solar panels being installed in the UK has fallen by more than 80 per cent, according to an analysis of new figures in the latest sign that the industry is being strangled by government policies despite being one of the cheapest sources of electricity”. This is not surprising, in reality there are going to be fewer sites available unless green field sites are converted into power generating farms, not all buildings are suitable for installation of solar panels, such as those like my home whose roofs face east in the morning and west at night, and as such are not in the groups which can be funded to install any panels because the return would be negligible.
?If every house in this country had solar panels fitted we could generate our own electricity, and we could sell the surplus off to the energy companies, but that will never happen because the government want us to continue to be in debt to other countries which own the power companies. Just like the cars if we all bought electric cars which have been available for years, the government stops this happening as well as the oil industry,because they would loose their revenue. Never mind that it would stop air pollution and would be healthy for everyone.
It would be better to help people put them on there roofs instead of covering prime agricultural land with them, In-fact all new homes should have them fitted by law.