David Prosser: Last chance to save the solar industry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Outlook On the final day of the Government's consultation over reform of the feed-in tariffs paid to solar power installations that feed energy back into the grid, it is fair to say the renewable energy industry is not holding out much hope of a reprieve from the Department of Energy and Climate Change.
They fear Chris Huhne, the man in charge at Decc, has no choice but to insist on the big cuts to the tariffs he proposes for all but the smallest solar installations, having cut a deal months ago with the Treasury to reduce his budget.
In which case, it is time to say goodbye to Britain's budding solar power industry. The large-scale projects that were previously viable no longer will be.
What a pity. The cost of solar installations in Britain was beginning to come down, with more companies attracted to an industry that was starting to grow healthily thanks to the feed-in tariff system. Those gains will now be reversed as the industry heads to more supportive territories.
Meanwhile, will the savings that Decc is producing for the Treasury be swallowed up by the loss of tax revenues from an industry shutting up shop? There is every chance of that.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments