Solar Victory: FIT rate remains at 43p until March 3rd

It was announced today that the Government have lost their appeal in a bid to revert the court’s decision that their actions in changing the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) rate before the end of the consultation was unlawful.

Today’s announcement means that the original tariff pre-December 12^th 2011 will come back into place until the new cut off date of March 3^rd 2012.

In a unanimous verdict, a total of 4 judges have decided that the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) actions were unlawful.

The loss of the appeal means that DECC will now stand to pay the £125,000 in legal fees, as well as giving Chris Huhne and Greg Barker full scope to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Should DECC launch another appeal to the Supreme Court, it will only put the industry in another state of uncertainty, as well as proving their own Plan B to be incorrect.

The solar industry are now calling for the Government to help them create a better future for the solar and renewable industry as well as putting confidence back within the people willing to invest in solar.

Solar Century’s Seb Berry questioned the Government’s potential actions through Twitter, “Appeal Court rejected DECCs application to appeal to the Supreme Ct. DECC can still apply directly but on what possible grounds?”

Labour MP, Caroline Flint has also taken to Twitter to advise Greg Barker and Chris Huhne to “get back to the drawing board”.

JHS Solar Solutions will endeavour to keep you up to date with the FIT news as it happens, if the Government launch their appeal to the Supreme Court then we could be in another state of uncertainty. Until then, a FIT rate of 43p will apply for installations made between December 12^th 2011 and Mach 3^rd 2012. From March 3^rd, FIT rates will drop back down to 21p until the Government arrange for the new proposals to decrease the FIT rate further.

If you would like a free quote for a bespoke solar PV installation, please don’t hesitate in contacting us now on 0845 302 4779 or email solar@jhssolarsolutions.co.uk