week ending 23 December 2011
Solar Trouble
Only four years ago, hundreds of start-ups optimistically built factories and churned out solar panels to meet rising demand. Now, closures and failure loom for many. The brutal shakeout is a dramatic reversal for an industry that has seen overall global growth of more than 30 percent annually over the past decade and this year will reach new records for solar panel sales. Only a handful of manufacturers are now profitable in the face of too much capacity, which has contributed to a plunge in prices, and as government subsidies have been curbed.
Reuters 23rd Dec 2011 more >>
Select Committees
Just a day after a High Court judge ruled that the government’s consultation on cuts to solar incentives is legally flawed, two parliamentary select committees will launch a blistering attack on the government’s handling of proposed changes to feed-in tariffs, accusing ministers of undermining confidence in energy policyand landing a potentially “fatal” blow on the UK’s solar industry.
Business Green 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Utility Week 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Public Finance 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
The government’s rush to cut a subsidy for people who generate solar electicity on their roofs was clumsily handled and may have fatally damaged a growing industry which had the potential to provide tens of thousands of jobs, says a new report by MPs on two influential select committees.
Guardian 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Another day, another challenge to the Government’s solar power subsidy cut. Yesterday the High Court joined the queue of opponents to the move, ruling the hastily introduced slashing of the so-called feed-in-tariff for solar power to be “legally flawed”. Today, two influential cross-party committees of MPs will jointly condemn the move, arguing that it not only threatens Britain’s fledgling solar power industry, but the development of its entire renewable energy sector.
Independent 22nd De 2011 more >>
Rock and a Hard Place
For the past few weeks all anyone in the UK solar industry has been talking about is feed-in tariff cuts and unexpected deadlines. In fact, since Government announced it would be reducing the incentive rates by more than 50% for household solar installations, almighty chaos has broken out. Friends of the Earth and two solar companies recently won their case against the unforeseen December 12 cut-off point – but is this really a “victory” for the UK solar industry, or have we been plonked between a rock and a hard place?
PV Tech 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Court Victory
Green groups and solar energy companies have welcomed a High Court ruling that proposals to rush through cuts to solar tariff payments are illegal, despite a pledge from the government to seek an early appeal against the decision.
Business Green 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Energy Efficiency News 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
The High Court has today upheld a legal challenge from Friends of the Earth and two solar firms against the government’s controversial decision to slash feed-in tariff incentives for solar installations, throwing the proposed changes to the subsidy scheme into chaos.
Business Green 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Reuters 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
A solar industry campaign to slow down government-planned cuts to solar subsidies in the UK has won a significant legal victory, but what does this mean for the industry?
Renewable Energy Focus 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
The government will appeal yesterday’s High Court ruling that plans to slash solar panel payments from 12 December are ‘legally flawed’.
City Wire 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
THOUSANDS of North-East energy jobs could be saved after Government plans to cut solar panel subsidies were ruled legally flawed by the High Court.
Northern Echo 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
The High Court has ruled government cuts to solar power subsidies are unlawful but venture capital trust (VCT) providers are remaining cautious and expect an appeal to be launched.
City Wire 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Trust Damage
A recent survey of YouGen users has shown that setting a cut-off date for installations that falls before the end of the feed-in tariff consultation period undermines trust in the consultation process. The study asked: “Is it acceptable to set a cut-off date for installations that is before the end of consultation?” A staggering 91 percent of respondents answered ‘No’. Those disillusioned with the Government’s decision took to the comment section of the survey to voice their opinion on why such a move is so damaging to public trust: “To do so indicates the consultation is a hollow exercise with no intention of the feedback from the consultation making any difference.”
Solar Power Portal 21st Dec 2011 more >>
BP closes solar division
BP has confirmed that it plans to close its solar energy division after more than 40 years, arguing that the growing commoditisation of solar has made it impossible to make a profit.
Business Green 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Renewable Energy Focus 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Chemical Engineer 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Guardian 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Five years ago news that one of the world’s largest companies planned to quit the solar industry because it “simply can’t make any money” would have been a devastating blow to the sector’s self-confidence and credibility – but not anymore.
Business Green 22nd Dec 2011 more >>
Green Deal
The government’s flagship programme to transform the energy efficiency of 14 million homes in the next decade will fail and only reach only two to three million households, according to an unprecedented attack from the government’s own climate advisers.
Business Green 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Windsor Hydro
Two golden Archimedes Screws have been hoisted into the River Thames as part of a major hydropower project that will supply Windsor Castle with green energy.
Business Green 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Legally Flawed
Government plans to slash incentive payments for householders who install solar panels were on Wednesday ruled “legally flawed” by a high court judge. The ruling opens the door for a judicial review that could force the government to delay its plans, potentially allowing thousands more people to claim the higher subsidy.
Guardian 21st Dec 2011 more >>
ITN 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Edie 21st Dec 2011 more >>
BBC 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Carbon Neutral Flowers
A Carlisle flower wholesaler is now operating as a ‘carbon neutral’ business after successfully installing two wind turbines to generate its electricity.
Cumberland News 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Solar Farm
AN ENERGY company has been given permission to install solar panels in a field in phases. Lark Energy had planned to build a solar farm in Spalding Road, Bourne, within weeks of securing planning permission. Changes to the Government’s feed-in tariff cut the amount of money the project will generate so it will now be installed over a longer period of time after South Kesteven District Council gave its approval.
Stamford Mercury 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Solar Damage
A North East businessman is calling on the government to do more to support Solar Energy companies, or risk damaging the industry. Terry Skee established Cleaner Air Solutions in 2004 to supply solar PV to public sector premises looking to generate renewable energy. However, he and others in the industry could be permanently damaged by plans to slash financial incentives for solar electricity.
BDaily 21st Dec 2011 more >>
Nottingham School
A green energy specialist has installed 40 solar panels on to the roof of a school. Intelligent Energy Solutions, of Hamilton Industrial Estate, Leicester, carried out the work at Walter Halls Primary and Early Years School, in Mapperley, Nottingham. The solar panels will generate around 8,000 kWH of electricity, which could save the school up to £1,000 a year. The installation took place last week ahead of the Government’s cut to Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) as part of a scheme undertaken by Nottingham City Council.
Leicester Mercury 21st Dec 2011 more >>
High Court
The High Court will today hear legal challenges by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies over government plans to slash financial incentives for solar electricity.
Business Green 20th Dec 2011 more >>
Minister Heckled
The Micropower Council Christmas drinks saw an audience of renewable energy professionals assemble at Westminster. However, according to Edie.net, Gregory Barker, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change – a guest speaker at the event – was heckled throughout his speech. Hecklers took Barker to task over his department’s handling of the feed-in tariff (FiT) and the changes put in place by a second fast-track review, implemented on December 12. The Minister engaged the criticisms head-on retorting that: “The point at which you can scale-up is not at 43p/kWh when the industry is taking five times that in subsidies than the other large scale renewables mass deployment is not feasible at 43p/kWh.”
Solar Power Portal 20th Dec 2011 more >>
Edie 20th Dec 2011 more >>
Lincoln Solar
The first solar photovoltaic panels have been installed on council-owned buildings in Lincoln. Eleven panels, which are capable of generating around 2kwh of electricity, were fitted at Broomhill sheltered housing scheme as part of the City of Lincoln Council’s ‘Lincoln Green’ campaign, which aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
This is Lincolnshire 19th Dec 2011 more >>
FiT cuts not death of solar
The decision to cut tariffs for installations does not mean the end for home renewables.
Independent 18th Dec 2011 more >>
Cornwall Success
Staff from Cornwall Council have successfully arranged for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels on more than 50 sites across Cornwall which will help save more than £500,000 of council tax payers’ money a year. An ambitious programme to install solar photovoltaic panels on Council owned buildings by the end of March 2012 was originally approved by Members in September. News that the Government was intending to reduce the Feed in Tariff on projects installed after 12 December was greeted with disappointment by the Council but instead of abandoning the project, Members took the bold decision to proceed and try to achieve as much as possible before that deadline.
Bude People 16th Dec 2011 more >>
Solar Theft
Solar provider, Tenesol, has launched a secure solar support structure to help fight the rising number of solar thefts in the industry - particularly in rural locations and off-grid sites. The new S-TE Sun Guard structure uses self destructing bolts, welded U-frames, stainless steel links and concrete settings to secure its PV systems.
Connecting Industry 16th Dec 2011 more >>