In 2009, the following individuals/organisations backed our 10p on the tariff campaign.

Supporters included the now Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne MP and the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats Simon Hughes MP.

In the end, Labour’s proposed tariffs were increased by less than 5p. We are confident that the Secretary of State will resist calls to cut the tariffs even further below the levels that he supported publicly before the election.

Chris Huhne MP (then Lib Dem Shadow Home Secretary)

Simon Hughes, (then Liberal Democrat Energy and Climate Spokesperson) said:
“The Government’s proposals fall far short of what’s needed to boost investment and jobs in solar PV. But that is hardly surprising given their starting point of restricting the ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ scheme to deliver just 0.5% of UK electricity from solar power by 2020. This is strangling the life out of the policy even before it’s begun. The proposed “cash back” payments are designed to dampen solar PV demand over the next three years rather than to encourage it. This mindset needs to change. Solar power can play a significant role in the “greening” of our towns and cities, while providing tens of thousands of new construction sector jobs.”

Alan Simpson MP, (then Secretary of State Ed Miliband’s ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ advisor), said:

“We needn’t be so timid. Only real rates of return of between 8-10% through the ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ scheme will drive forward the UK market for renewables from 2010. We have to deliver massive benefits for UK PLC and UK jobs during the next Parliament.  Crucially, we need a scheme which will ensure rapid uptake of solar PV from year one of the scheme, not one that may or may not deliver post 2014. This means an increase of at least 10p on the proposed solar PV payments for 2010.  Without that, we are not even in the game as far as solar PV is concerned.”

Colin Challen MP, (then Labour Chairman of the Commons All Party Climate Change Group), said:
“The Government has literally a once in a lifetime opportunity to get the 2010 starting feed-in tariffs right for all renewable energy technologies so that the UK can begin to catch up with our European neighbours.  But the proposed solar PV payments are simply set far too low to provide for a real kick-start for this technology in the UK and are way below the Government’s stated aim of delivering a 5-8% rate of return from the tariffs. That’s why I’m pleased to be backing the ‘We Support Solar’ campaign’s call for at least a further 10p on the solar PV generation payments.  10p is a very modest ask given the low starting point of the Government’s proposals.  But just 10p would deliver an additional 30,000 skilled solar installation jobs within the lifetime of the next Parliament and six times as much solar PV generation as under the Government’s current proposals by 2020.”

He added: “To date, 275 MPs from all parties have backed my Commons motion EDM 689 calling on the Government to do more to support this important technology, making it the second most popular motion out of over 1,900 tabled this Parliamentary session.  It’s now vital that solar PV is not penalised by the Government under the new ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ scheme and payment levels are set to deliver meaningful rates of return for investors in this technology.  I’m confident that Ed Miliband will respond positively to the 10p campaign.”

Dougie Rooney, National Officer for Energy and Utilities, Unite the Union said:
“The opportunity for 30,000 clean energy jobs by 2014 should not, under any circumstances, be turned down. We represent our 2 million members with this view and call for 10p to be added to the ‘Clean Energy Cash back’ scheme. Young men and women have been hit hard by unemployment over the past year and apprenticeships in the solar industry offer them much needed, well paid, long term skilled employment. This is a real solution; the Government must leap on this chance to enhance the Engineering Supply Chain and plug losses in the job market.”

Josephine Fairley Sams (Co-founder of Green & Black’s) www.judgesbakery.com

Jonathon Porritt (founder director Forum for the Future and former Chairman UK Sustainable Development Commission) said:
“The limited scope and ambition of the Government’s proposed “clean energy cash back” scheme is a huge disappointment. If Ed Miliband leaves his department’s consultation proposals unchanged, we will be turning our backs on many tens of thousands of skilled green jobs during the next Parliament. The good news is that it’s not too late to put in place an effective scheme, one that can deliver rapid uptake of solar PV and other renewables, drive new investment, boost building sector employment and give us a fighting chance of actually delivering the 2020 renewable energy target. I am very happy therefore to back the ‘We Support Solar’ campaign’s call for another 10p to be added to the proposed solar PV tariffs.”
www.jonathonporritt.com

The Green Party

Sandra Gidley MP (Lib Dem Shadow Health Minister)

Oliver Heath said:
“Solar power can play a significant role in the greening of our buildings, while providing tens of thousands of new green jobs. The world is waking up to this, but the UK Government’s proposals fall far short of what’s needed to boost investment and jobs in solar PV. If the ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ scheme aims to deliver just 0.5% of UK electricity from solar power by 2020, it’s hardly surprising. Lets change the situation and see to it that that more electricity is generated locally - the repercussions will be many and positive. I believe in solar energy - that’s why I’m planning it for my own home refurbishment.”

Lembit Opik MP (Lib Dem Member Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee)

Michael Meacher MP (former Labour Environment Minister)

Paddy Tipping MP (Labour member Energy and Climate Change select committee)

Martin Caton MP (Labour Member Environmental Audit Select Committee)

Zac Goldsmith.

Julia Craik, Managing Director The Premises Studios said:
“Solar power gives us a fighting chance of a better future.  But I’m fed up with all talk and no action.  Ed Miliband keeps saying that he wants to see more green jobs.  Well now here’s his chance. It’s great to be backing the We Support Solar campaign.” www.premisesstudios.com

David Drew MP (Labour member Environment Select Committee)

Nick Harvey MP (Lib Dem Shadow Defence Secretary)

Paul H White,  Design & Quality Manager, Town & Country Housing Group said:
“A stronger  Clean Energy Cashback rate would really benefit housing associations, who want to help alleviate fuel poverty with solar photovoltaics. A high rate of return would mean more investment in solar  power for our properties, and increasingly more low carbon, affordable homes”.

David Chaytor MP (Labour member Environmental Audit Select Committee)

Caroline Lucas MEP (Leader Green Party)

Ed Matthew, Head of Economics, Friends of the Earth said:
“We’re delighted to endorse the campaign. 10p on the proposed solar PV tariffs is a very modest ask. The Government says it wants to set tariffs that will engage individuals, businesses and communities to generate their own clean power, and encourage behaviour change. Solar power can play a key role in helping to  deliver that important policy goal. That’s why we need effective tariff rates for solar PV.”

Tim Farron MP (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Steve Webb MP (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

Norman Baker MP (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Transport)

Kate Hoey MP (Lab)

Paul Flynn MP (Lab)

Paul Donnelly, CSR Manager, Big Yellow Group PLC said:
“Big Yellow Group fully support the call for at least 10p to be added to the solar feed-in tariff proposals. Solar PV is the most practicable renewable technology for urban environments and is also the most reliable in meeting Planning Authority renewable energy targets. But the current return on investment for commercial generators suggested by the proposed PV tariff levels will do nothing to drive investment in this robust, effective technology. We need at least 10p to be added to the tariff levels to encourage rapid uptake of the technology and to deliver thousands of UK jobs.”

Roger Williams MP (Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Wales).

Colin Hines Convenor of the Green New Deal Group said:
“The Green New Deal Group wholeheartedly endorses the call for effective feed-in tariff rates for solar power. Solar power has immense potential in the UK to deliver tens of thousands of skilled green construction jobs within four years, and to mobilise hundreds of thousands of individuals and businesses to take action in the fight against climate change over the same timeframe. The Government must recognise this when it makes final decisions about the scheme later this year.”

Renewable Energy Association

Nick Sireau, Solar Aid said:
“Solar Aid has always argued that a rapidly growing UK PV industrial base will bring with it enormous benefits not only to UK PLC, but also to our crucial work bringing solar power to just some of the 2 billion people in the world without access to electricity. That means we need an effective long-term feed-in tariff and 2010 tariff rates that drive investor interest in UK PV manufacturing and services. The UK can be an important exporter of solar PV products and expertise, but the Government’s proposed tariffs are simply too low to make a real difference. We wish the campaign every success.”

John Hemming MP (Chair Commons All Party Peak Oil Group) said:
“We need a real sense of urgency in developing sustainable energy sources.
10p may not sound much, but it will have a big effect.”

Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, Federation of Master Builders said:
“The FMB would welcome any change to the proposed Clean Energy Cashback scheme that maximises solar jobs for our members at a time when many of them are really suffering as a result of the recession. The construction and solar industry work in close partnership, with roofers up and down the country now being trained to install solar electric roof tiles.  By increasing the clean energy cash back level by at least 10p, the government is kick starting economic recovery in the construction industry - allowing solar energy to play a significant role in the greening of our housing stock. ”

Ray Horwood CBE, Chief Executive, National Federation of Roofing Contractors said:
“The NFRC fully supports the ‘Small change, big difference’ campaign in the call for what would be an effective ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ rate in the UK.  Many of our roofers are already trained to install solar electric roof tiles and there is the potential for many more to become qualified with the correct encouragement for the uptake of solar photovoltaics in the UK.”

He added: “The time has come for roofs to be active parts of a building to help meet our renewable energy targets, to provide a viable solution to meet challenging future building regulations and to support a generation of new jobs for roofers who are eager to become involved in the emerging green economy. Adding at least 10p to the proposed price for solar electricity will help tackle the triple challenge of credit, energy and climate.”

Paul Reeve, Head of Environment, Electrical Contractors’ Association said:
“We strongly advise the Government to introduce major incentives that will encourage the uptake of solar photovoltaics. A ‘Clean Energy Cashback’ scheme would help to provide the major step change we need to meet the UK’s challenging carbon reduction targets. The ECA is committed to working with Government to increase demand for renewable energy and boost ‘green technology’. This will generate a number of opportunities for electrical contractors, who bring considerable skills into this area.”

Doug Parr, Policy Director at Greenpeace UK said:
“Done right, small-scale microgeneration technologies like solar pv can engage individuals emotionally in energy issues and are an important element of an energy strategy. They need encouragement and deployment just like larger scale renewables.”

Jashim Ali, Business Development Officer at Places for People Developments said:
“A stronger Clean Energy Cashback rate would really benefit developers and housing associations who want to help alleviate fuel poverty with solar photovoltaics. A high rate of return would mean more investment in solar power for our properties, and increasingly more low carbon, affordable homes.”

Julian Elsworth, Senior Consultant at WSP Environment & Energy said:
“A stronger Clean Energy Cashback rate is key to generating interest in PV from developers. A higher rate of return would result in quicker and more widespread investment in solar power for our properties, help us to meet our national and European CO2 targets, and generate a new green workforce”.