Almost half of UK local authorities have reduced solar investment in the last few years, because of a lack of government incentives, according to research by LG Electronics.
The research found 47% of local authorities cited the lack of government incentives as the main issue for reducing solar spend, followed by the lack of capital to front investment (23%).
It also revealed that 71% of local authorities have no strategy or plan towards solar investment whatsoever and 70% have no plans to add to their solar capacity for the next five years.
“These councils do not have solar technology incorporated within their current environmental strategy and have no specific targets or direction towards solar deployment,” LG said.
In the next six months, only 19% of local authorities plan to invest, while 76% are not investing in solar, the research added.
It found that demand for solar is strong, with 84% of local authorities owning solar panels.
LG Electronics UK senior sales manager Bob Mills said: “Our research has revealed that the government’s policy towards solar is ineffective and in some cases, completely non-existent.
“Until there is a clarity on solar strategy, we will continue to see public money wasted on out-dated and overpriced energy projects.”
Image: sxc
UK councils ‘cut’ solar spend
LG research finds government policy influencing local authorities PV plans
By EBS