A DEFRA press release earlier this week announced that farmers will lose their right to claim subsidies for fields filled with solar panels.

DEFRA indicated that the plans would "ensure more agricultural land is dedicated to growing crops and food [and] will help rural communities who do not want their countryside blighted by solar farms."

The change will come into effect in January 2015. The full press release can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/subsidies-for-solar-farms-to-be-cut-to-help-safeguard-farmland

This press release is the latest in a line of statements from the Government to demonstrate a shift in policy relating to solar development. In addition to the renewable applications which have been recently called in by Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government DECC have announced that the Renewables Obligation subsidy will end next April for large scale farms with a capacity greater than 5MW. Furthermore, DCLG have recently updated their guidance to make it clear that the quality of agricultural land is important when making a decision on a planning application for solar PV.

Environment Secretary, Elizabeth Truss was clear on her views in respect of large scale solar farms on agricultural land, but did indicate general support for rooftop solar PV;

"English farmland is some of the best in the world and I want to see it dedicated to growing quality food and crops. I do not want to see its productive potential wasted and its appearance blighted by solar farms. Farming is what our farms are for and it is what keeps our landscape beautiful.

I am committed to food production in this country and it makes my heart sink to see row upon row of solar panels where once there was a field of wheat or grassland for livestock to graze. That is why I am scrapping farming subsidies for solar fields. Solar panels are best placed on the 250,000 hectares of south facing commercial rooftops where they will not compromise the success of our agricultural industry".

There have been a number of criticisms from the Solar Industry following the press release. Leonie Green, head of external affairs for the Solar Trade Association said;

It is damaging and incorrect for Defra to suggest that solar farms are in conflict with food production... The land is still available for farming – the solar fixings only take up 5% of the land. This means plenty of room for continued agricultural practices such as sheep, geese or chicken farming. As far as farm payments are concerned, solar should really be treated in the same way as orchards or fields with trees, where animals continue to graze the land in between.

Solar farms have an important role to play in conserving our countryside. Not only can solar power save huge amounts of greenhouse gases, but solar farms can provide protected spaces for boosting biodiversity, such as wildflowers and bees, as well as providing greater income stability for farmers who face increasing weather risk due to climate change."

Further reactions from the solar industry can be found at: http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/damaging_and_incorrect_industry_reaction_to_solar_farm_cap_scrap_427?utm_source=rss-feeds&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news-rss-feed

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