Feed-in tariff scheme 'has got off to good start'

10/09/2010

The feed-in tariff scheme has led to strong, but steady, growth in solar panel installation over recent months, it has been suggested.

Small firms may well have signed up to the initiative in order to generate their own energy, thus reducing business electricity costs.

"Obviously, we don't want to see an uncontrolled growth in the market," said Stuart Pocock, technical director at the Renewable Energy Association.

He said the ideal scenario would be to see "strong growth that can be supported by the emerging supply chain".

"We don't want to see a boom-bust scenario as has happened in other markets, but we're reasonably confident, with the start that the feed-in scheme has got off to and the rates that been set that we will get good growth but not unsustainable growth."

Under the feed-in tariff scheme, businesses and households which generate their own electricity from renewable or low-carbon sources receive regular monetary payments.

Posted by Nicola Richards