Cuts Expected for Solar Panel Incentives
Subsidies paid to households who install solar panel technology are set to be cut by ministers this year, in a controversial move by the coalition government.
The move will reduce the amount currently being paid to homeowners, as ministers admit that the original rate was set “embarrassingly” high.
The number of solar technology installations has almost doubled since the subsidies were implemented; since June, more than 85,000 business and homeowners have taken advantage of the scheme,
Any property with retrofit solar technology installed with a capacity of up to 4KW will see the rate cut more than half from 43.3 pence per kilowatt-hour to just 21 pence. These changes will not affect homeowners who currently have solar technology installed in their household.
The changes are due to come into effect on the 12th December 2011, meaning homeowners have only a few weeks remaining if they want to take advantage of the current rates. Experts are predicting high demand for solar panel technology installations over the coming months as a result.
The move has drawn a lot of criticism, with Friends of the Earth threatening legal action against the government after claiming that the actions are unlawful. The organisation claims the government promised the rates would remain unchanged until April 2012.
November 10, 2011 in Uncategorized | Permalink | No Comments