We've responded to the DECC consultation on cutting solar energy tariffs.
Over the last month, many NFU members got in touch to make their views known or to highlight the difficulties the proposals were making for their investment plans.
We've used your feedback to help inform our submission to government.
Read the response here.
By clicking on the related documents at the top of this page (or the links at the bottom), you can still download our draft guide and a template letter if you wish to contact your MP. This is just an outline - NFU members are encouraged to write in their own words to their MPs, who will be most likely to act on a letter if it contains the particular details of a constituent’s own experience.
As well as reducing most of the solar FiT rates by more than 50% and bringing the deadline forward from April 1 to mid-December, the consultation proposed that multi-site installations will receive an additional 20% reduction.
Furthermore, new solar installations in the UK will be eligible only for domestic properties with an energy efficiency rating of 'C' or better – a measure that is thought to exclude up to two-thirds of Britain’s present housing stock. Details of how to apply this to non-domestic properties have yet to be worked out.
Linking FiTs to energy efficiency may be good idea in principle, but the NFU has concerns about how this is going to work out equitably without creating disincentives or perverse outcomes.
- Read our briefing on the proposals here.
- Visit the DECC consultation page here.
- Download our template letter here.
- John Pawsey - 07/12/2011
Still waiting for UK Power Networks to get back to us to say how big an array we can put in. As they have to fund the FiT there is negative incentive for them to get back to us. In my view, that is the problem and the government should do something about it.
- Ian Howell - 30/11/2011
Whilst the cost of PV panels may be coming down, the often significant cost of upgrading infrastructure to connect to the electricity grid is not. Many rural areas where it may be otherwise possible to justify rooftop installations around 50kw are prejudiced even further by reduced FITS.
- Jacqueline Platts - 24/11/2011
I applied for planning for a 9.8kw system to the field immediately behind our property which will supply both the domestic property and the outbuildings. I have had long delays waiting for surveys and eventually received agreement in writing from Western Power to proceed in late October. I am now racing against time to get the installation in and certified within the time frame. I have been in hospital over the last few weeks having major surgery and due to the governments totally unreasonable time frame have had to deal with the installation at the same time which has caused me huge additional stress. I am nearly sixty and was looking at reducing outgoings to enable me to hopefully retire at some point. I still do not know whether the contractors will be finished in time as everyone obviously wants them on site and I am still worrying it will not be certified in time for the deadline. I think the deadline should be extended until April.