2,580 solar jobs at risk from subsidy cuts

The solar industry is facing meltdown due to planned subsidy cuts

More than 2,500 jobs in the solar panel industry in Yorkshire and Humber could be lost if the Government slashes a key subsidy by 87 per cent.

The Solar Trade Association claims 2,580 of 3,230 jobs in the sector are threatened by a proposed cut to the feed-in-tariff, which pays residential customers per unit of electricity generated.

Nationally, some 27,000 people employed in the solar energy sector and its supply chain are under threat, it claims.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change is proposing to cut the tariff paid for electricity generated by rooftop panels from 12.4p to 1.6p in January.

Paul Barwell, chief executive of the Solar Trade Association, said: “The government’s short-term thinking on bills is also condemning hardworking families to a future of higher energy costs.

“Within these new proposals, the Government has used sunlight levels you might find in Devon, rather than those found in Yorkshire as they have done in the past.

“The Solar Trade Association believes more than just one corner of the country should be able to get the benefits of going solar.”