Good Energy Welcomes Practical Changes Announced by Government for Solar

Good Energy welcomes the practical changes Government have announced today to grace periods for solar energy projects. This will help provide stability to this growing sector.

Whilst the Government is pressing ahead with closing the Renewables Obligation regime for solar PV two years early, they have made some amendments to the grace periods.

Good Energy campaigned alongside others in the solar industry for Government to amend the criteria suggested around the grace period, in order to allow projects that companies have committed significant investment to, to proceed to construction.

The criteria announced today will allow more of Good Energy's projects to compete for Government support. In addition, Government is consulting on introducing a 'grid delay' grace period for projects that fall outside the criteria announced, but still experience grid connection issues.

Juliet Davenport, Founder and CEO of Good Energy said:

“Solar is an incredible success story, so we're pleased that Government has listened to us and others from across the industry and made some practical changes to the grace periods.

“We are still concerned though, that even with the changes announced today, the revised approach risks pushing out small and medium players, and reducing competition in the industry.

“Solar is reducing its costs rapidly and is on track to be subsidy-free by 2020. It needs stable support up to then, to continue providing thousands of jobs and investment.”

Good Energy supplies and generates 100% renewable electricity to the grid from British sunshine, wind and rain, matching over the course of a year, all the electricity its customers use with power from renewable sources.

The Government has increased the budget allocated to established technologies, which onshore wind and solar PV can compete for from £50 million in 2015/16 to £65 million in 2016/17.

They have also increased the overall budget available for renewable electricity projects competing for support this autumn to £300 million.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

About Good Energy www.goodenergy.co.uk

Good Energy is a fast-growing 100% renewable electricity supply company, offering value for money and award-winning customer service. An AIM-listed PLC, and founder member of the Social Stock Exchange, our mission is to support change in the energy market, address climate change and boost energy security. Good Energy matches over the course of a year all the electricity its customers use with power from renewable sources. For the last three years, Good Energy has topped the Which? energy company customer satisfaction survey. Good Energy's dual fuel tariff is cheaper on average than the standard tariffs sold by the 'Big 6' before discounts. Twitter: @GoodEnergy

Consultation on solar subsidies

• Good Energy initial response (May 2014):http://www.goodenergy.co.uk/press/releases/2014/05/13/good-energy-ceo-responds-to-government-solar-subsidy-review
• Government response on changes to financial support for Solar PV:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-changes-to-financial-support-for-solar-pv
• Government announcement on increased budget for renewables:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/300-million-budget-to-launch-uk-auctions-for-renewables
• Government announcement on CfD allocation:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cfd-budget-notice

Why solar makes sense:

• Although relatively new, solar has attracted investment of more than £2bn to date, with a further £2bn in the pipeline.
• The solar sector already provides full time employment for more than 13,700 people.
• Rooftop and ground-mounted solar delivers power when it is needed, offers high forecasting accuracy and representing a perfect complement to wind power.
• DECC's own research says 80% of UK adults believe renewables represent a sensible way forward, and solar power is already contributing around 2.5Gwh to the UK's energy mix.
• A recent survey by the Solar Trade Association showed 85% of people supported solar power.
• Larger-scale solar developments are the perfect partner for agriculture, providing landowners with an additional income stream and protecting biodiversity corridors that support flora and fauna.

Good Energy Press Office

Emily Towers, 01249 478 380, 07738 699 039,emily.towers@goodenergy.co.uk
Luke Bigwood, 01249 478 358, 07703 727 846,luke.bigwood@goodenergy.co.uk