Member Article

Governments FiT tariff changes justified, says expert

A regional expert in solar power has expressed her support for the government’s proposed changes to Feed-in-Tariffs (FiT)

The government want to reduce the price of FiT’s by up to 50% next April for installations made after the December 12. This could put consumers off installing them in their homes.

However, Emma Hughes, editor of Solar Power Portal believes that these measures will help the government to prevent a “ boom and bust“ scenario by creating longevity in the market.

She commented: “At the moment the market is being stimulated by FiT incentives. We’re hoping that in the next couple of years there won’t be any need for a Feed-in Tariff and that the cost of PV will be the same as using conventional power.

“While the new rates will be a significant reduction, the people we are speaking to in the industry are saying the changes are needed.

“With PV prices continuing to fall and energy prices rising grid parity is moving even closer.”

Ms Hughes was speaking at the third annual Solar Flair event, which brought together major players in the photovoltaic industry to share how businesses can capitalise on this new technology.

The event was organised by the County Durham Development Company, and its managing director Stewart Watkins was keen to emphasise the developments going on in this area, and how they could be of benefit to businesses.

“This year’s Solar Flair event has highlighted just how many opportunities there are in the solar industry for businesses to take advantage of.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .