HC 1605 Energy and Climate Change and Environmental Audit CommitteesWritten evidence submitted by Catherine Cannon
As a home owner, I am horrified by the proposals to slash the Feed-In tariff in such a drastic fashion.
Feed-in tariffs—the mechanism designed to support solar PV in the UK—have worked.
It provides energy security, new green jobs and lower energy prices in the long-term.
Solar costs a fraction of the amount currently being spent on other energy generation technologies.
Feed-in tariffs add less than £1 per year to the average household bill at a time when the Big 6 energy companies are imposing huge increases on their customers.
There are 4,000 solar businesses across the UK employing 25,000 people. These are at risk if the proposed cuts go ahead.
This short-sighted move threatens the whole development of solar power in the UK.
The industry is thriving. As it grows and costs go down, I agree that there should be a gradual reduction in the tariffs. But dramatically cutting them would have catastrophic consequences for the industry and our green future.
1. On 1 November 2012 I had my Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on my roof. We have optimum pitch and a perfect south facing roof. We have nine panels and our system is a small 2.1kW system. Our panels were installed by Southern Solar. We are delighted with our panels, and very excited to be able to generate our own electricity and make a small contribution to the national grid.
2. We have always been energy-conscious, as we have roof insulation, cavity wall insulation, double glazing, an efficient boiler, energy saving light bulbs, we buy 100% green energy, and adopt energy saving behaviours. We have an energy monitor so we can see exactly what we are using. For us, installing PV panels was the next natural step. We have a young daughter and she is fascinated by the idea we can get energy from the sun. We will certainly consider other renewables as they become more readily available and easier to retro-fit.
3. As a direct result of seeing our installation one of our neighbours is having solar panels fitted too. At work, two of my colleagues have also had solar panels fitted (interestingly, each with a different company and using different panels) and we are pleased to be able to tell other people about them and explain why we made the choice, what the benefits are, and how we are able to protect our future. We are modelling real energy saving behaviours and showing that there is a choice.
4. I am absolutely horrified by the proposals to slash the Feed-In tariff in such a drastic fashion. Feed-in tariffs—the mechanism designed to support solar PV in the UK—have worked. They provides energy security, new green jobs and will ensure lower energy prices in the long-term. Solar costs a fraction of the amount currently being spent on other energy generation technologies. The Feed-in tariffs add less than £1 per year to the average household bill at a time when the Big 6 energy companies are imposing huge increases on their customers.
5. There are 4,000 solar businesses across the UK employing 25,000 people. These are at risk if the proposed cuts go ahead. This short-sighted move threatens the whole development of solar power in the UK. The industry is thriving. As it grows and costs go down, I agree that there should be a gradual reduction in the tariffs. But dramatically cutting them would have catastrophic consequences for the industry and our green future.
9 November 2011