The updated Feed-in Tariff has been welcomed in part by some in the renewable sector for the level of certainty it could now provide the industry following the recent lawsuit DECC faced from the solar industry.

Juliet Davenport, CEO of Good Energy said: “The industry has been asking for more clarity and the government has moved to provide that … The rate changes proposed for solar PV are a reflection of the well-known problems with the FIT budget and it will take time to fully digest what they mean. The important thing is we now know how tariffs are going to change in future, helping give investors greater certainty.”

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker announced that as of April 1 the rate of subsidy would be reduced to 21p/kwh.

Gaynor Hartnell, CEO of the Renewable Energy Association said: “These proposals should help re-orientate the tariffs towards cost-effectiveness and greater predictability – which on principle is welcome.”