Last updated at 14:49, Wednesday, 09 May 2012

A solar energy firm has blasted the Government over its handling of the cuts to solar energy tariffs.

Since April 1, the amount paid to people producing electricity by solar panels has reduced by half.

Since the changes, solar panel installations have fallen by almost 90 per cent, according to Department of Energy and Climate Change figures.

Bill Roberts, of Penrith’s Sundog Energy, said: “Market confidence has been knocked significantly since the feed-in tariffs were cut.

“The number of changes that have been made and the dramatic way in which they have occurred has understandably resulted in continuing uncertainty.”

Sundog’s prices have been slashed by 40 per cent in the last 12 months as manufacturing capacity outweighs demand.

But Mr Roberts says the company’s future is bright.

“We were in business long before there was a feed-in tariff and we are expanding and recruiting new staff.

“We’ve always said the tariffs were too high but it’s been handled very poorly and that’s caused a fall in market confidence,” he said.

First published at 11:27, Wednesday, 09 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk