Environmental charity, Friends of the Earth (FoE) has urged UK ministers to rethink changes to solar support.
The campaigning group said changes to the renewable energy obligation (RO) “risk derailing Britain’s renewable energy revolution”, and would prevent the ability to keep down energy bills and sustain energy security.
“Solar power is already cheaper than new nuclear, could soon be less expensive than gas, and can be installed safely and discreetly in the heart of our communities” says Alasdair Cameron, Friends of the Earth’s energy campaigner.
The charity’s message to ministers coincides with the last day for public consultation on changes to support for solar. FoE predicts the proposed changes could cut solar development in the UK by half.
This proposal “attacks solar parks while doing almost nothing to boost large rooftop systems” says Cameron
Ministers “must recognise solar’s huge potential and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to plug in to the sun– starting with our schools” noted Cameron, adding that 350,000 homes could be solar powered as a result, with schools earning £1 billion over the lifetime of the solar panels.