The row over cuts to UK solar subsidy announced earlier this week has heated up as the Managing Director of Orta Solar Ltd told the Climate Change Minister that he has mislead Government over the effects of the subsidy.

In a letter to Greg Barker, Mr Nick Pascoe wrote: “It is the extent and speed of your current proposed cut that appears specifically designed to destroy the UK Solar industry rather than allowing it to flourish sustainably – our shared ambition.”

Mr Barker has argued that the cut to the Feed in Tariff from 43p/kWh down to 21p/kWh was justified as the scheme would face “boom and bust” otherwise.

Mr Pascoe disputed three statements made by the Minister: that solar prices have dropped by 70%; secondly that solar was the most subsidised energy source; and thirdly, that the FiTs have been aligned to those of Germany.

Despite recognising the difficulty facing the Minister with regard to the re-think, Mr Pascoe has begged him to rethink the rates and timing of the cuts.