Whilst this is not a total surprise coming from this Conservative Government given their track record of not supporting renewable energy, it is very disappointing to hear. One thing that needs to be made clear, the export tariff is not a subsidy. It is a payment made to generators of solar energy who provide energy to the grid. This should be paid for. Especially as the export tariff rates are currently in line with wholesale prices. This is very frustrating for the industry, especially as Claire Perry, Minister for Energy and Clean Growth, publicly stated that renewable power should not be provided to the grid for free.
Whilst this is frustrating, the UK solar industry has been through worse and come through the other side. One thing's for sure, solar energy isn't going away.
The export tariff will close to new applicants at the same time as the generation tariff, the government has confirmed, despite overwhelming opposition to the plans. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed in a response to this summer’s consultation today, claiming a fixed and flat-rate export tariff does “not align with the wider government objectives” of a move toward market-based solutions. The feed-in tariff scheme will therefore now close in full to new applicants from 31 March 2019.
https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/government_confirms_export_tariff_cull
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