We Support Solar has received launch messages of support from Greg Barker MP (Conservative Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change), Colin Challen MP (Chairman All Party Climate Change Group), John Hemming MP (Chairman All Party Peak Oil Group), and Lynne Jones MP (Member Commons Environment Select Committee).

Nick Hurd MP (Con Ruislip-Northwood and a member of the Commons Environmental Audit Select Committtee) said:
“Alongside other renewable technologies, solar PV has a big role to play in helping the UK to meet its 2020 and 2050 targets. The Government now needs to take urgent steps to ensure that the proposed new feed-in tariff for solar PV really does give individuals, companies and organisations the incentive to invest in the technology. Otherwise the new Government policy will be so much hot air.”

Colin Challen MP (Lab Morley & Rothwell) said:
“As the UK gears up to delivering our 2020 target of 15 % renewable energy, we will need big contributions from all renewable energy technologies. Solar PV was the forgotten technology in the Government’s renewable energy strategy consultation, but it has immense potential in the UK. The Government’s welcome decision to introduce a feed-in tariff for solar PV and other renewable electricity technologies now needs to be followed with tariff levels that can actually push forward these technologies quickly in the UK market.”

Greg Barker MP (Con Bexhill & Battle) said:
“11 years of Labour Government have been 11 wasted years as far as solar PV and other small-scale renewable electricity technologies are concerned. Last year the UK installed just 0.3% of the solar PV installed in Germany. But very belatedly the Government has decided to steal one of our policies and introduce a feed-in tariff. We will now be watching very carefully to see whether the policy sets tariff levels that will really make a difference to the uptake of solar PV, or just proves to be a cosmetic rebranding of a failed policy rather than the genuine change we urgently need.”

John Hemming MP (Lib Dem Birmingham Yardley) said:
“with peak oil a looming reality and our stretching 2020 renewable energy target, Government needs to put in place urgently policies such as feed-in tariffs to really drive forward the solar PV sector in the UK. Solar PV can play an important role in helping to deliver the 2020 target and deliver many thousands of new British jobs in the sector along the way.”

Lynne Jones MP (Lab Birmingham Selly Oak) said:
“The Government’s decision to introduce a feed-in tariff for renewable electricity technologies gives us an opportunity to maximise UK jobs, UK innovation and UK investment in solar PV. If we are going to deliver our 2020 renewable energy targets, solar PV will need to be an important part of the mix.”

Kate Hoey MP (Lab Vauxhall) said
“I want to see tens of thousands of people employed in solar PV in the UK, not hundreds. The German experience shows that if you get the feed-in tariff mechanism right huge investment in domestic industry and jobs will follow. It is therefore essential that in bringing forward plans for a UK feed-in tariff for renewable electricity, the Government recognises the major contribution that solar PV can make both to our EU renewable energy targets and to much needed UK jobs and investment, and sets the PV tariff level accordingly.”

Please email your constituency MP and ask them to endorse We Support Solar. You can find MP contact details at www.theyworkforyou.com