Info
Info
News Article

Solar Companies Approach DECC For £2.2m Damages

News

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installation companies have approached The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) to request compensation for losses incurred as a result of the illegal cuts to Feed-in tariffs last year. Prospect Law, the legal team that defeated the Government over the cuts, has issued DECC with a "˜letter before claim' on behalf of three solar energy companies requesting that over £2.2 million be paid in damages. 
 
The organisations claim the cuts, ruled "˜unlawful and unfair' by the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court in Spring 2012, caused substantial damage to their businesses. The landmark case confirmed that retrospective changes to legislation is unlawful, with consistent legislation vital to encourage long term investment in clean energy from consumers and businesses alike. Specifically, the solar companies saw a drop in consumer confidence, reduction in orders, sales and profit margin as well as the loss of substantial contracts, including "˜free solar' schemes, virtually over night.
 
Nick Keighley, Founding Director, Solarlec PV Solutions Ltd, one of the companies seeking damages, said:
"Unfortunately, the losses incurred as a result of the Feed-in tariff cuts are very real. Solarlec has had an incredibly tough eight months, making redundancies and cutting costs wherever possible. We are keeping our business moving, but the reality is that we suffered substantial damage. Only this week DECC revealed solar as the UK's most wanted renewable energy source, 83% of the public calling for more. Today we're respectfully asking that the department acknowledges its unlawful behaviour and rectifies the damage caused to the industry. We can then put this behind us and get moving to create the solar future the public wants."
 
A spokesperson from Prospect Law added:
"The 2008 Energy Act and the Feed-in tariff effectively provide a set of rules for delivering the UK's clean energy future. The way in which DECC administered this positive framework for solar PV created a "legitimate expectation" under which both the public and industry could operate. But the premature and unlawful cuts, announced by the Minister on 31st October last year, ignored the Government's own policy framework."
 
He continued:
"By casting aside the rules under which the solar industry operated, the Government caused major financial losses and materially harmed the confidence of both consumers and the industry. Solar is a robust industry, and one the public wants, but significant damage has been done to the sector. We urge the Government to act responsibly, face up to its unlawful conduct and the damage this caused and to offer compensation."
 
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has been given a fortnight to respond to the letter before claim, the organisations hoping no further action will need to be taken.

NextEnergy Capital Acquires Its First Asset In Portugal 17.4MWp Solar PV Project
New Innovation Set To Change Renewable Energy Market
Analysis Of UK Commercial Roof Space Shows Solar PV Film Can Achieve Net Zero Without Greenfield Sites
FIMER Powers UK Largest Rooftop Solar Project
UK Green Tech Company Myenergi To Double Workforce By 2021
Ingenious Invests In Electric Vehicle Charging Firm
Low Carbon Develop UK’s Largest Community-owned Solar Park
Solar Power As Rental Offer Launched By Aggreko
Tandem PV Devices Feel The Heat
Sunstore Solar Launches WattGrid, A New Range Of Turnkey Off-grid Power Systems
TLT Advises Innova Energy On £30m Refinancing Of 57 MW Solar Portfolio
FRV And Harmony Energy To Develop Second UK Utility Scale Battery Project
Habitat Enerdy Enters Balancing Mechanism With Largest Battery
Sonnedix Named ESG Global Solar Power Generation Sector Leader By GRESB
Sharp Launches New 440W Half-cut Cell PV Panel
Power Roll Trials Solar PV To Power Up Himalayan Villages
SOLARWATT Links With Easy Roof To Provide Building-integrated PV For Better-looking Buildings And Smart EV Charging
Everoze Creates Skyray To Design And Engineer Great Solar PV Projects
Going Green In Lancashire – Hundreds Of Houses Installed With Solar Panels In Ground-breaking Project
UK'S Largest Battery Ready To Balance The Grid
TLT Advises Santander On 30MW Flagship Battery Storage Project
Greencoat Renewables Announces First Transaction In Nordic Market
Oakapple Renewable Energy Appoint Stuart Gentry To Head Business Development
The Smarter E South America Postponed To October 18-20, 2021
×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Smart Solar Magazine, the Smart Solar Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in:
 
X
Info
X
Info
{taasPodcastNotification} Array
Live Event