The Minister for energy and climate change, Gregory Barker, has responded to several questions in a Commons debate held on 10 February, regarding the Government’s recent announcement of the Feed-in Tariff review.

“The scheme we inherited from the previous Government was in danger of offering perverse incentives, particularly for micro-hydro. We will use the opportunity of the comprehensive review to iron out these incentives and get the scheme absolutely right.”

The Minister stressed the Government would “endeavour to ensure that we are very fair in the review,” and would strive to sustain investment in renewables in schools, hospitals and community projects that sit above the 40 kW review level.

The review, announced on 7 February, will investigate the share of large-scale solar (over 50 kW) to domestic installations. Energy secretary Chris Huhne said that large-scale solar was not anticipated under the FIT scheme, and was concerned money for domestic projects would be redirected.

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton, took issue with 50 kW being defined as large scale, insisting “anything marginally above 50 kW is not large.”

Mr Barker responded: “It is not our intention to place draconian limits on those above 50 kW, particularly in relation to school and hospital scheme… Going for 50 kW allows us to settle the matter discreetly, quickly and before the summer recess.”

“We want to create a sustainable framework for long-term investment that is good for the industry. That is why we are fast-tracking the review and will improve the imperfect system that we have inherited from Labour to make a much safer and securer platform for long-term green growth.

The consultation is expected to be published in March.

Hansard, 10 Feb: Column 463-465