It had been expected that rates would be cut on July 1, taking solar PV FiTs another step down from the 21p/kWh rate imposed by the Government on April 1. That followed the much-publicised and courtroom-based drama of last December’s reduction from 43 pence/kWh.

After Secretary of State, Ed Davey, ‘dead-batted’ opposition attempts to get him to say in the House of Commons that the July 1 deadline had been missed, DECC issued the following statement: “Having listened carefully to the industry we are reviewing the date for the next reduction in solar tariffs and will be making a fuller announcement shortly.”

Interestingly, almost exactly the same wording used by Climate Change Minister Greg Barker on Twitter yesterday, which sparked speculation and the call for clarification from Mr Davey today. However, the extent of the delay is not yet clear.

Today’s confirmation on the delay was promptly welcomed by Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy, who said: “Solar is too great an opportunity to be overlooked. It’s not only a powerful way of giving households and businesses greater control over their energy bills, but has a vital role to play as part of our national energy portfolio.”

Dr Doug Parr, Policy Director at Greenpeace UK, added: “Solar power remains a truly renewable source of power that we need in tackling UK gas dependency and climate change. Many householders will still have the opportunity to contribute to moving the UK to a sustainable low carbon world.”

Edie staff

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