Ofgem confirms controversial plans for power network charges

Industry has slammed the regulator’s outcome of the Targeted Charging Review

Government ‘must stop publishing misleading solar statistics’

The Solar Trade Association says official figures relating to solar photovoltaic deployment in the UK are inaccurate and calls for the method of data collection to be reformed

Solar farms ‘generate wide range of benefits for local ecosystems’

The Solar Trade Association says well-designed and well-managed solar farms frequently deliver broad benefits for biodiversity and sustainable agriculture across the UK

UK Government urged to continue export tariff for small-scale solar

The signatories of a letter to Energy Minister Claire Perry say removal of the payment will lead to householders, small businesses and others providing power to the grid for free

UK tax break for home solar panels and battery storage installations

Householders could receive a significant price cut when installing “qualifying” solar panels with battery storage technologies. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) told ELN a single indivisible supply and installation of solar panels with a battery in residential accommodation would be charged a 5% VAT rate – “on the understanding the battery is linked to the […]

Sainsbury’s, IKEA among big firms calling on government to stop solar tax hike

Sainsbury’s and IKEA are among some of the big brands urging Chancellor Philip Hammond to stop the proposed rise in business rates for solar panels. The two companies have joined the Solar Trade Association (STA) and more than 160 organisations including, schools, public institutions and energy suppliers, which are calling on the government to drop […]

Solar to be cheapest form of energy generation by 2020

Solar could be the lowest cost form of energy generation in 2020. That’s according to a report by the Solar Trade Association (STA) which quantifies the cost of integrating solar into the UK power market today and in a 2030 scenario, where this source provides above 10% of the country’s annual electricity. STA’s analysis shows […]

Solar sector urges government to remove barriers to storage

The solar industry is calling on the UK Government to remove regulatory and economic barriers to energy storage. The Solar Trade Association (STA) has published a paper exploring the interaction between solar power and energy storage, highlighting the wide array of services storage could potentially provide to home owners, networks and utilities. However, the report suggests regulatory, economic […]

Business rates for rooftop solar ‘to rise next year’

Businesses with solar rooftop installations in the country could see a rise in their rate taxes next year. That’s according to the Solar Trade Association (STA) which added they could increase by between six to eight times from current levels. This could happen from April 2017 unless the government intervenes, it stated. The STA’s warning follows […]

UK ministers have ‘false impression of support for solar’

UK ministers have the “false impression” that solar power no longer requires financial support for deployment in the UK. That’s “deeply worrying”, according to the Solar Trade Association (STA) and Lightsource, with reference to statements made by Energy Minister Lord Bourne who gave evidence to the Energy and Climate Change Committee (ECC) last month. In […]