Carbon consultancy concerned by cuts to solar farm subsidies
From April 2015, the government will no longer provide subsidies under the Renewables Obligation (RO) for solar farms larger than 5MW.
This move has concerned supporters of renewable energy, who state that it will increase the UK’s dependency on fossil fuels and puts thousands of jobs at risk. These installations will now be invited to bid for funding under the Government’s Contracts for Difference scheme, but some solar companies argue that it is too complex.
Smaller-scale projects however, such as community schemes and rooftop developments, will see expanded support under the Renewables Obligation. At Concept Energy Solutions, a carbon consultancy firm that supports organisations to install small-scale renewable technologies, we welcome greater funding in this respect, but we are worried by the implications of the other changes.
Concept Energy is a carbon reduction expert and Peter Stockwell, one of our directors, says: “Our experience with energy surveys has shown us how important it is for businesses to be able to access the cost-saving and energy management benefits of renewable technologies.”
