Power to see the future?

IN recent months we have all been bombarded with solar panel adverts, particularly in newspapers and magazines.

These always refer to the feed-in tariff, or FiT. This is where excess power generated is fed back into the grid. This is a tax-free payment, linked to inflation, paid to the customer over 25 years and is currently 43.3p per kilowatt/hour, although in April 2012 this could be reduced.

But if the panels are installed before that date the current rate will apply for the next 25 years. A 2.3 kw system would, we are told, produce a saving up to £1,000 per annum. How can any sort of payment be guaranteed for 25 years? During that time there will be five elections. Each government will have its own agenda for making savings, collecting taxes and setting financial priorities. We could be at war somewhere in the world with the subsequent drain on the country’s finances. How can householders be certain that the cash will keep flowing in for the next 25 years? Are they being taken for a ride?

Issue of trust

From: Maxine Watt, Beeston, Leeds.

HOW reassuring that David Cameron, whose party has received over £3m in donations from property developers and whose Ministers hired senior figures from the building industry to help draw up the controversial new planning guidelines, “shares and admires” the National Trust’s commitment to the countryside (Yorkshire Post, September 22).

Native land

From: Mrs P Brown, Pasture Close, Leconfield, Beverley.

VARIOUS letters have appeared during September regarding the integration of immigrants who choose to enter Australia. Isn’t it about time someone enquired of the indigenous population of Australia, dispossessed of their land to make way for masses of non-indigenous people?

The answer could be interesting and not particularly to anyone’s liking.

Just imagine – mass repatriation or relocation would take years. It’s just a thought.