Editor’s Blog

During a Devon Council meeting about a proposed solar farm, Liberal Democrat councillor, Julian Brazil, reportedly said the following: “They [solar farms] look horrible, not dissimilar to concentration camps. But we are told by the planning minister to press ahead with these.”

There remains an uneasy relationship between ‘paid-for’ and ‘rent-a-roof’ solar developers.

After setting off five weeks ago, the Solar Power UK series of roadshows drew to a close this week up in Scotland, the final of the seven roadshow locations.

Ofgem published the feed-in tariff rates starting from 1 May. Nothing surprising there except that, on closer inspection, the stated period was marked down as 1 May-1 July not 1 May-1 August.After a bit of digging by Solar Power Portal, DECC confirmed that the Ofgem figures where indeed correct: the next FiT period will be a month shorter than previously expected.

The domestic solar market is continuing to flatline and consumer confusion is rife. Now is the time for clear messages: solar in the UK is more compelling than ever

Many in the industry have denounced this period of stability as a false dawn, pointing to the potential of module price rises in 2013 to derail the government’s solar plans. However, the UK solar market’s stability faces a much greater risk than global module price rises: the European Commission.

We’re a cynical bunch us Brits. The much-trumpeted Green Deal scheme finally launched at the beginning of the year and, right on cue, the press jumped on its back pulling the scheme apart.

Last week saw the official unveiling of the long-awaited third revision to the MCS PV installation guide. Peter Bennett gives a summary of the key changes.

Yesterday marked the beginning of the ‘Restarting the Market’ series of Solar Power UK roadshows. In front of a sell out crowd in Sandown Racecourse, Energy Minister Energy Greg Barker took to the stage to once again deliver a keynote solar speech.

The solar industry is dragging the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) back to the High Court, this time with revenge on its mind.