UK solar companies proceed with legal case against Department of Energy & Climate Change

A group of solar companies disappointed by the UK’s Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) decision to cut the feed-in tariff for solar PV installations over 50kW has been granted permission to proceed with its legal case. A High Court judge has ruled that the group of solar developers seeking a judicial review against Government can now advance with its case against Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne.

The case will now be heard before July 29 – which marks the beginning of the High Court’s summer term.

Mark Shorrock, Chief Executive of Low Carbon Solar UK, one of the companies fighting the decision said, "We believe that the Government's decision to initiate this fast track review was flawed from the start. Once we received the High Court's positive ruling we twice approached DECC to see if they would meet with us to find an acceptable solution out of court. Disappointingly they declined this offer and so we are reviewing the next steps in the legal claim."

"By the Government's own admission, their proposal is likely to prevent any solar projects above 50kW being developed across the UK.

“This is not the appropriate way to lead the transition to a low-carbon economy,” he continued.

The group alleges that the UK Government failed to announce a ‘trigger point’ for any early review of the feed-in tariff rates, was unsuccessful in providing sufficient evidence of excessive deployment by large-scale solar developers, and is pursuing a policy that goes against its pledge to strengthen investment in renewable energy.

A DECC spokeswoman confirmed Government will continue to contest the case.

Members of the group include Element Power, juwi Renewable Energies, Low Carbon Solar UK and MO3 Power.