BSRIA is unimpressed with the government announcement that small scale solar energy subsidies are set to end. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is consulting on plans that would see subsidies for some new solar farms close by 2016. Chief executive, Julia Evans, has given her reaction

“The subsidy cut will have a very large negative impact on the industry. In response to Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd’s, statement that “government can't have a situation where industry has a blank cheque, and that cheque is paid for by people's bills”, we would comment that under the renewables obligation, which is the solar farm's main support subsidy, it's costing about three pounds per annum on people's energy bills – a small amount when you compare it with other types of energy, like nuclear for example,” she stated.

BSRIA is calling for "a level playing field" for solar in relation to nuclear energy and fracking in terms of subsidies and with regard to planning regulations.

BSRIA is getting the impression that energy efficiency and renewable issues are being viewed as nothing more than a nuisance to government, a nuisance which is hindering, not only the industry – but the economy at large. The recent government announcement signaling the end of the UK’s zero carbon buildings policy is an example of this, as is the European Court of Justice ruling against reduced VAT for energy saving products.