MSE News: Legal battle launched over solar subsidy cuts

larkim

pebsham wrote: »

If "the poor" were able to have access to "free" solar panels as offered by some solar companies at least they might save a couple of hundred pounds a year and remove a small amount of front-line generation.

Actually, some of the local authority sponsored installations on social housing will directly benefit "the poor", so its not all one way traffic.

Matt

Rodders57

Yep FOE have won the case

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2134194/breaking-court-judge-rules-solar-consultation-unlawful

The_Pixi

I understand it now, thanks guys.

Yut_Man

Interesting news. not exactly unexpected thought. Next few days will be fun.

rogerblack

I note that this might have relatively little effect perhaps.
If the government backtracks on the reduction post dec-12, so any fresh installs still get the 43p, and that the rate only changes for panels after mid-Jan, as was originally proposed, that's not much time to get fresh panels up.

Especially given Christmas, the new year, and the weather.
Plus, massive orders of components take time to arrive.

I really, really hope this is the case.
Simply as the completely unsustainable rate of panel installs, if continued until April, would have _significant_ effects on those who can't get panels.

The installed base doubled in 6 weeks.
If this farce ran till april, I don't want to think of the impact on my bill.

jamesd

I wouldn't count on fun. Assume that the appeal fails. That'll presumably mean many years of no new subsidy payments at all for new installations until the amount being spent gets back on target. Not that that's a bad idea, it'll add some welcome additional pressure to reduce the prices of installing and equipment.

LydiaJ

raider wrote: »

Grid-Tie Inverters applicable in most SolarPV installations switch off during power cuts. Although there are battery backup inverters that will provide some energy, but naturally cost more.

Somebody who works in the solar PV industry told me that the grid-tie inverters have to be designed to switch off during a power cut, because otherwise people's panels would be feeing 240V into the grid, being stepped up going backwards through the step-down transformers and putting a huge voltage across the cables that some poor maintenance person might be trying to repair.

rogerblack

jamesd wrote: »

I wouldn't count on fun. Assume that the appeal fails. That'll presumably mean many years of no new subsidy payments at all for new installations until the amount being spent gets back on target. Not that that's a bad idea, it'll add some welcome additional pressure to reduce the prices of installing and equipment.

Under the current scheme, it would be - as I understand it - just the 3p/kWh export payment.
This isn't anywhere close to realistic.

jamesd

Not sure which way you mean realistic. I was positing continuing payments at the current rate for everyone who gets in before the consultation ends, then paying nothing for any new installations for umpteen years, effectively temporarily abolishing it for new installations until it's back on the budget target.

rids25_2

What amazes me is that this Government preach to us about green house gasses and the like but when it comes down to it I don't think they give a dam. I want solar power on my roof to use the sun to power my electrical products . I am doing my bit to save the planet. We are told that being in the EU is right for this country. WELL Mr Cameron and the rest of parliament Europe again are well ahead of the UK in using Solar Panels why are YOU trying your utmost to stop us following in their suit.