Yorkshire is shining example for solar panels

Now business leaders within the “micro-generation” industry are warning the Government not to cut its hugely successful tariff incentive scheme, which has prompted a surge in the use of solar panels by offering home owners fixed payments for the green electricity they produce.

The new study, by consultants AEA, reveals installations of solar panels and other devices such as rooftop wind turbines have increased fivefold across Britain since the Feed-In Tariff scheme was introduced in April 2010.

Leading the way is Sheffield, where – despite a less than sun-drenched climate – over the past 15 months solar panels have been installed at more than twice the rate of any other British city, per head of population.

“Sheffield stands out as the leading city,” the report concludes.

Leeds is in second place, with Bradford in fourth behind Bristol. London trails in sixth place per head of population – though the capital has more total capacity than its rivals due to its greater size.

When measured by local authority area, Cornwall was the national leader for solar panels – though Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham all featured highly.

“While we expected Cornwall to do well, there are five Yorkshire local authorities in the top 10,” said AEA spokesman Colin McNaught. “To a degree they’ve cheated their geography by doing better than a sunnier area like Devon.”

Sheffield City Council welcomed confirmation of the city’s green status, having helped lead the drive for green electricity in the city with supportive planning laws and the installation of solar panels across many public buildings.

Councillor Leigh Bramall, cabinet member for the environment, said: “It’s great to see Sheffield ranked as the top city in the country for solar installations.

“We have some forward-thinking entrepreneurial solar installation companies in this part of the world. They have taken advantage of the demand for solar energy since the introduction of the feed-in-tariff. We also have large organisations who have decided to invest. South Yorkshire Housing Association is one example, where they aim to install solar panels on more than 10 per cent of their 4,000 properties.”

Since their introduction in April 2010, feed-in tariffs have effectively offered a public subsidy to householders who generate their own green electricity. Under the scheme, residents are paid for every kilowatt of electricity they produce. They can also sell excess power back to the National Grid to make further profits, as well as enjoying sizeable reductions in their power bills.

“Feed-in tariffs have made solar panels a viable investment,” said Amanda Botterill, chairman of regional industry body the Yorkshire Micro-Generation Partnership. “Before, the figures did not add up. Now you can expect returns of 10 per cent per year.”

The scheme is under review, however, amid fears the Government is poised to slash the amount it pays people who join the scheme after April 2012 – or even close it to new applicants all together. “Our biggest fear is that they will decide they can’t afford it any more,” Ms Botterill said.

A spokeswoman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said the ongoing review will look at “all aspects” of the tariff scheme and that a consultation would be launched later this year.

“It’s great the people of Yorkshire are recognising the benefits of generating their own green power and doing something about it,” she added.

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