Sunset for solar power delayed

Harsh criticism of the ConDem government's tattered green agenda is nothing new - although it is usually some section of the nation's amorphous environmental lobby doing the shouting. This time however it is parliament's own environmental committees who are questioning whether ministers understand the implications of halving subsidy given to people who contribute energy into the grid from solar power.

The Guardian reports MPs have concluded that giving both consumers and companies just a few weeks' notice of a reduced feed-in tariffs from 43.3p to 21p paid per kWh of energy generated has created uncertainty among investors and undermined public confidence in energy policy.

MPs are also highly critical of the government's consultation, which they say was based on an inadequate impact assessment. They point out that a 12 December deadline was set for changes to come into effect but consultation officially closes on 23 December.

It is this same closed minds approach that prompted a recent legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and which saw high court ruling yesterday that plans to cut incentive payments for householders who install solar panels were legally flawed. This move will help those seeking a judicial review and thereby help force a delay in implementation.

But the subsequent views of the Commons committees and a growing number of concerns from backbenchers who are under pressure from constituents could see the proposals permanently put on hold whilst ministers do a rethink on the policy imperatives involved.

Lawyers for the Department of Energy and Climate Change immediately moved to apply for permission to appeal the judge's ruling but officials are also quietly briefing that a statement is to be issued “probably in the next few weeks”.