Solar firm boss slams ‘dithering’ Government
BUSINESSES keen to switch to renewable energy could be deterred by the Government’s ‘dithering’ over the announcement of a new scheme to reward consumers for reducing their carbon footprint, says a Worcestershire renewable energy expert.
Charles Houston, partner at Kidderminster-based Going Solar, has written to Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, to urge him to finalise and publish details of the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is set to come into effect next April.
The RHI, a government-backed plan which allows individuals, companies and organisations to earn money for the heat generated from their renewable energy systems such as solar thermal panels and heat pumps, is to replace the Low Carbon Building Programme ph2 grant, which was suddenly closed to new applications in May.
The Government has yet to release details of the new scheme, stating that it is committed to meeting its renewable heat energy targets, but wants to review the proposals in view of the current economic climate.
Mr Houston said: “Many companies like Going Solar have been working hard to communicate to businesses the benefits of switching to renewable energy systems. We’re so far behind in this country but, in the past year or so, momentum has been gathering towards a critical mass with interest growing rapidly not only from the commercial area, but also from organisations in the private and educational sectors.”
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“However, the Government’s dithering on the RHI announcement has created uncertainty in the minds of consumers. We’re in a hiatus. It’s very hard to make a case for a change to renewables without an idea of payback.
Going Solar, based in Worcestershire, specialises in providing renewable energy solutions for medium-to-large businesses and organisations. It offers a range of services including grant advice, system design, project commissioning and maintenance. Its installation division, EZ Solar, is accredited to the standards of MCS, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
