Government seeks views on shifting solar panels

Businesses and factories could be able to take their solar panels with them when they relocate premises, under plans unveiled by the government.

Under current rules, if a building-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installation accredited for subsidy under the feed-in tariff (FiT) scheme is moved, it becomes ineligible for further support. This acts as a deterrent to uptake for businesses without the guarantee of long-term ownership or lease of a building.

To address these concerns, the government has set out plans to allow solar PV installations of 50kW and above to, under certain circumstances, be moved between buildings without loss of FiT payments. The government hopes this will make solar PV a more attractive investment for businesses.