Yesterday, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Greg Barker, pledged that for the first time solar PV was being taken seriously by DECC. Today’s proposals show that DECC intends the reformed FiT scheme to deliver 22GW of solar capacity by 2020.
Following the publication of DECC’s response, Barker said: “Today we are announcing plans to improve the feed-in tariffs scheme. Instead of a scheme for the few the new improved scheme will deliver for the many. Our new plans will see almost two and a half times more installations than originally projected by 2015 which is good news for the sustainable growth of the industry.
“We are proposing a more predictable and transparent scheme as the costs of technologies fall, ensuring a long term, predictable rate of return that will closely track changes in prices and deployment.
“I want to see a bright and vibrant future for small scale renewables in the UK and allow each of the technologies to reach their potential where they can get to a point where they can stand on their own two feet without the need for subsidy sooner rather than later.”
During a PRASEG solar event at the House of Commons today, Greg Barker said that new model of feed-in tariff will be announced and that DECC are aiming for 22GW of installed solar capacity by 2020.
Tomorrow DECC will publish its long-anticipated response to the consultation on its controversial cuts to the solar feed-in tariff rate.
Back in November 2011, the Minister announced plans to follow the German tariff degression model as part of the second consultation on reforms to the FiT scheme. DECC now intends to announce the outcome of this consultation tomorrow, in time for any resulting legislative changes to come into effect from April 1, 2012.
After what seems an eternity of uncertainty following the rushed fast-track review and subsequent legal challenges, the solar industry is finally set to learn what lies ahead. The noises coming out of DECC appear to be positive, with Greg Barker today declaring that “DECC are now taking solar seriously.”
Today’s announcement is a huge step forward as DECC has significantly revised its aspirations for solar PV in the UK with the target of 22GW of the technology being installed by 2020. DECC has also found some flexibility on the budget to deliver it with.