Parliamentary ructions over Government treatment of solar power
Parliamentarians of all parties, in both the Lords and the Commons, are objecting to the government’s treatment of solar power. Labour has tabled an amendment to the Finance Bill which would prevent a damaging potential VAT rise on domestic solar systems in future, which will be voted on next Tuesday. The Solar Trade Association was […]
MP committee criticises Government for damaging investor confidence in energy sector
An influential House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Select Committee has today (Thursday 3 March) published a report into “Investor confidence in the UK energy sector”. The report focuses in particular on the low-carbon energy budget, called the Levy Control Framework (LCF). It describes how a lack of understanding surrounding the LCF is hampering […]
The cow’s digestive system could revolutionise renewable energy
A group of scientists are looking at the way relatively unknown fungi works inside the guts of herbivores, including elephants and cows, in the hope that it holds the key to revolutionising biomass technology. Professor Theodorou, leader of the Agricultural Centre of Sustainable Energy Systems (ACSES) at Harper Adams University, is among the group of […]
Stats show need for Government solar thermal push
Government statistics published today on the Renewable Heat Incentive have shown that in November and December of last year solar thermal hot water heating made up 12% of the residential systems and only 2% of non-domestic systems supported by the scheme. Since the domestic Renewable Heat Incentive was introduced in April 2014 there have been […]
Despite reduced tariffs, solar remains good investment for householders
The Feed-in Tariff rate which is paid out for rooftop solar is to change at midnight tonight. Householders who go solar will from tomorrow onwards be eligible for the new rate of 4.39p/kWh which will be paid out from February. Although technically the Feed-in Tariff system will be paused for three weeks and restarted on […]
European Commission extends ‘unfair’ import tariff on Chinese solar panels
The European Commission over the weekend extended its punitive import tariffs and price controls on solar panels from China which were originally due to expire today, Monday 7 December. The move, called an Expiry Review, will mean that the import tariffs could remain in place for several more years and possibly until 2020. The Commission […]
AD Industry welcomes Spending Review support for green gas
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, today unveiled plans in today’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement announcement to extend the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) with additional funding for new projects until the end of this Parliament. The Government’s energy policy “reset” announced last week will see support for indigenous sources of gas prioritised, […]
Subsidies for solar 22 times less than people think, poll shows
Subsidies for solar power are 22 times less than people think, according to a new YouGov poll commissioned by the Solar Trade Association. On average, respondents with a view estimated that solar accounts for £196 per year – but in reality subsidy for solar only accounts for £9 on an average household bill of £1,300 […]
RenewableUK responds to Government energy policy speech
RenewableUK is responding to today’s speech by the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, setting out the Government’s future direction for energy policy. RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Maf Smith said: “Industry has been looking for clear signals from Government on energy policy to enable the long-term investment in the clean energy infrastructure this country desperately needs. It’s […]
