THERE are over 700,000 homes, businesses and community organisations that benefit from solar energy in the UK, enabling them to produce electricity themselves instead of grid power.

Government subsidies (as they stand now) cost a fraction of the support enjoyed by fossil fuels, yet our government, who signed a pledge to safeguard our environment, has now withdrawn its support, meaning that feed-in tariffs could potentially be reduced by 87% from January 2016.

Solar in Herefordshire has been a huge success story with one of the highest take-ups of all UK local authorities.

More than 3,446 homes and 279 business and communities already benefit, and it is an industry that has built up jobs that are at risk if the current proposals are adopted next month.

Herefordshire should feel proud of the many solar co-operatives which have developed, allowing hundreds to invest in community solar projects.

At Caplor we’ve been involved with charities and numerous people who dedicate days of their time to push for more sustainable efforts to lower costs and help rural businesses survive, and make the best use of the resources around us.

However, all these plans to lower bills, create jobs and look after our idyllic environment for our future generations are in jeopardy. Plans demonstrate that clean energy keeps savings in our county of around £5-£10 million annually.

It’s a remarkable change from a government claiming it wants to reduce energy prices.

If any readers feel as passionate about this as we do, I would urge them to write to their MP immediately and sign the petition asking the Department of Energy and Climate Change to review its approach to solar (search for ‘DECC solar petition’ online).

GARETH WILLIAMS Managing director, Caplor Energy, Fownhope