Opinions

The government is facing calls for clarity after a coalition of 30 trade bodies, NGOs, pressure groups and think tanks signed an open letter to the new secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, urging him to confirm the UK’s 2020 climate change commitments.

Will Cottrell, chairman of Brighton Energy Coop, refutes Department of Energy and Climate Change evidence that the cost of installed solar in the UK has risen and insists installers are innovating to make the new model work.

In his latest blog for Solar Power Portal, independent consultant and local authority expert Stephen Cirell discusses the recent announcement by Portsmouth City Council to roll out solar over the next four years using a series of PPA funded deals, and calls on other local authorities to follow suit.

Andrea Leadsom has reiterated the government’s stance on climate change policy following the outcome of the EU referendum, claiming the country remains committed to dealing with the issue.

Finlay Colville, head of market research at Solar Media, explains what the uncertainty caused by the recent vote to leave the EU means for UK solar and the burgeoning market in the Republic of Ireland.

Last week’s Business & Energy Summit in London presented a rare opportunity to gather global business leaders and national government representatives in one place to discuss climate change post-COP21. Solar Power Portal attended both days of the event and brings you the main talking points from across the summit.

The Irish government is facing fresh calls for clarity over a delayed solar energy subsidy scheme from the Irish Farmer’s Association (IFA), which claims thousands of acres of land are under contracts from developers.

Following months of in fighting, confrontation and bitter debate, the UK is set to leave the European Union after Brexit drew 52% of the vote. It remains unclear at this early stage what immediate or indeed long term effect the decision will have on the UK and its energy market. However, there are looming question marks over a whole range of issues related to the UK and European energy markets as Alex Harrison, counsel at international law firm Hogan Lovells, explains.

The decision taken by just over half of the voting electorate to leave the European Union has sent shockwaves throughout the UK, among both the Leave and Remain camps. The dust will take a while to settle but reactions are likely to be flying in for some time on a day that has rocked the UK political and economic landscape.

Concerns over the future of UK energy policy have quickly emerged as a direct result of last week’s vote to leave the European Union, with trade organisations and independent commentators calling on government to show it remains committed to the low carbon agenda.