Minister to appeal solar FiT High Court ruling

Following a two-day hearing at London's High Court Mr Justice Mitting said he was satisfied that the Government’s proposals to cut the FiT subsidy for solar electricity by half by December 12 was already having "a significant impact" on the solar panel industry.

He declared that implementing Energy Secretary Chris Huhne’s proposals, as planned, in April next year by referring back to the December 12 deadline, which had fallen in the middle of a consultation period, would be unlawful.

The judge refused Huhne permission to appeal against his ruling saying his "prospects of success" were insufficient to justify permission.

The Minister must now ask the Court of Appeal itself to hear his case.

Yesterday evening, Barker said: "We disagree with the Court’s decision. We will be seeking an appeal and hope to secure a hearing as soon as possible. Regardless of today’s outcome, the current high tariffs for solar PV are not sustainable and changes need to be made in order to protect the budget which is funded by consumers through their energy bills."

Today, a report by two influential Commons committees slammed the Government’s handling of the solar FiT cuts, concluding they could have a "fatal impact" on the solar industry.