Blogs

As the well-known song puts it, I don’t like Mondays. However, while I can usually cope with them, coming into the office yesterday to read about how our Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has decided to launch an early review of the feed-in tariff made me want to turn around and walk straight back out the door.

Regular readers of the Solar Power Portal will have been expecting a monthly round-up of how many UK solar systems have been installed under the feed-in tariff in January round about now. Well, I am pleased to tell you that according to Ofgem’s latest figures, over 47GW were installed last month.

Just last week I saw the news that yet more changes are on the way this year for Germany’s feed-in tariff. However, in contrast with the usual ‘we’re cutting our rates’ scenario, the German Government has actually decided to increase the tariff should solar photovoltaic installations not reach expected heights. Since the…

Despite the fact that 2010 was the 12th coldest year since records began, the UK has had an incredible year in terms of solar power installation figures. As the New Year rang in, Energy Regulator Ofgem posted up its latest figures, recording over 45MW for the period April 1 to December 31, 2010.

If the past few months have proved anything about renewable energy, it’s that solar power, under the direction of the feed-in tariff (FiT), is the fastest-growing source of green power in the UK. According to the latest figures from Ofgem, since the introduction of the FiT on April 1, 2010, the total installed capacity of solar was almost 40MW (39.241MW) while wind reached 13.021MW and hydro and micro CHP only managed 7.666MW and 0.014MW, respectively. So, if the solar power industry is taking off at such a great rate, why is the Government so keen to put the kybosh on its growth?

A recent media tempest has been brewing in response to the swelling success of the large-scale solar plants in the UK, with mainstream hacks uniting against the installation of solar photovoltaics on green or brown field sites. Several mainstream publications have reported negative comments in relation to solar panels appearing on Britain’s land, claiming that the renewable technology will “blight our countryside,” “waste taxpayers’ money” and “prevent farmers from growing crops”. As I discussed in my recent post, ‘Does the solar panel gold rush really threaten to ruin our countryside?’ none of these points are valid when examined closely.

There has been a lot of recent whining in the mainstream press about solar on farmland ‘ruining our countryside’ and ‘wasting taxpayers’ money’ when the facts have undoubtedly not been analysed. Clearly there is a case for solar power on farmland in the UK…

With the HM Treasury review done and dusted, the feed-in tariff (FiT) for micro-generation that includes solar energy has emerged unscathed. This is good news and a clear indication that both Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians recognise that supporting renewable energy should remain a key strategy to meet carbon reduction goals set for 2020 through 2050.

The Conservative party conference being held in Birmingham this week may prove to be the last word from politicians before the comprehensive spending review by the Treasury is released on the 20th of October.

As noted in our news today, consumer watchdog, Which?, warns that consumers who opt for free solar schemes are losing out on the chance to earn £10,500, since the free solar installation company earns the UK’s generous feed-in tariff rate. Since this report will get many of you hot under the collar, we thought we’d have a look at the pros and cons of installing your own system vs. the free offers, and why people should not feel ripped off if they have already opted for the latter.