Free Solar Industry Shrinks Further Due to Yet Another Slash to the Feed in Tariff

Sheffield, United Kingdom, April 05, 2012 --(PR.com)-- A study just released shows that at least half the current free solar panel installers in the UK have left the free solar market. As few as 8 installers may remain to provide free solar panels to homeowners who cannot afford the upfront investment that solar pv requires.

The entire Solar Industry has suffered due to the severe reduction in the FIT payments, which were initially introduced by the Government as an incentive to invest in renewable energy. However companies in the free solar market have had to endure a further 20% cut in the FIT payments due to the Government’s U-turn in its support of the Free Solar Industry.

Of the three leading providers in the UK only 2 remain – A Shade Greener Ltd, (http://ashadegreener.co.uk) and Isis Solar

Stewart Davies, Chairman of A Shade Greener Ltd, has announced as follows:

"The Government was fully supportive of the Free Solar Industry way back in October 2009 but now seems intent on making it very difficult for companies such as ours to continue to provide this invaluable free service, without which the FIT Scheme is entirely elitist. Nevertheless, A Shade Greener remains committed to providing free solar systems to the public and will continue to offer them entirely free of charge for the foreseeable future. We have no plans to stop, despite the tariff changes that were implemented yesterday in respect of companies such as ours. As well as entirely free solar, we will also carry out an entirely free Energy Assessment, which will provide the homeowner with an EPC certificate that will be valid for 10 years."

With so many installers leaving the market this may reduce the areas that are covered by installers, thus leaving solar blackspots with homeowners unable to find a free solar company that covers their area. With fewer installers it will also mean that consumers will be less aware of the free solar offers that are still available.

Stewart added:

"As a company we have actually increased our coverage area, which seems to be contrary to what the study shows to be happening for other installers."

The full study can be seen here: http://www.freesolarpanelsuk.co.uk/post-april-2012-free-solar-study.php

The likelihood is that it will cause frustration for many households who have perfectly suitable houses for free solar but no-one to cover their postcode area.

It seems pretty compelling that the report states that of the 40 installers offering free pv systems only 4 (including A Shade Greener) have confirmed that they will continue as they have whilst the other 4 in the report will continue with certain restrictions.