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The Solar Trade Association Reacts to No-notification Closure of Low Carbon Buildings Programme - 24/05/10

Whilst the Solar Trade Association (STA) recognises the new Government’s budget predicament and the desire to reduce the deficit as quickly as possible, there is also a requirement to meet a range of targets including the clear aim of obtaining 12% Renewable Heating by 2020. The STA believe pulling the relatively small budget required to support the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) until the introduction of the new Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a retrogressive step and will cause a loss of jobs in the industry just at the moment the country wants to build capacity to install hundreds of thousands of renewable heating systems each year.

We call on the Government to find a small extra element in its budget to support the LCBP for the next 10 months until the launch of the new incentive.

Howard Johns, Chairman of the STA said “This is very bad news for the solar industry, and a very disappointing move from the new coalition who are aiming to be the greenest Government ever. Solar thermal offers the UK a unique opportunity for jobs, growth and energy security and yet we have once again been undermined for short term gain. At this point we have no idea what the RHI will look like and whether we will get it at all - effectively leaving our sector in limbo, and jobs at risk.”

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