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UK govt puts uncertainty into solar energy projects

the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said that the large-scale solar projects for housing associations, schools and hospitals that are going through the planning system would generate almost twice as much electricity as the planned solar farms. These projects are likely to be suspended or even scrapped while there is uncertainty about the level of pay-out they would receive, the REA said.

Solar energy firms threaten legal action over feed-in tariffs Companies seek legal advice after ministers announce fast-track review to prevent ‘solar farms’ from claiming subsidies  Tim Webb  guardian.co.uk,  7 February 2011

Solar energy firms are threatening to take legal action against the government after ministers said they could stop large-scale commercial “solar farms” from hoovering up a green electricity subsidy.

After a Guardian report on Sunday, the government announced it will launch a “fast-track” review of the feed-in tariff scheme, which was launched only last April. The scheme subsidises households that install solar panels or other small- and medium-scale renewable energy projects. But ministers say that too many companies are planning to build “solar farms”, where fields are filled with solar panels, which would take up funds intended for households.

In response, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) said that the large-scale solar projects for housing associations, schools and hospitals that are going through the planning system would generate almost twice as much electricity as the planned solar farms. These projects are likely to be suspended or even scrapped while there is uncertainty about the level of pay-out they would receive, the REA said.

Gaynor Hartnell, the association’s chief executive, said: “Some of our members have been talking about legal action when these concerns started to be raised about ground-mounted PV [photovoltaic].” She added that companies were taking legal advice after Monday’s confirmation of a review by the government but declined to name them……

According to Cornwall council, more than 60 domestic and foreign companies have expressed an interest in developing solar farms in the county, the UK’s sunniest……

Solar energy firms threaten legal action over feed-in tariffs | Environment | guardian.co.uk

February 8, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK