A combination of a dramatic fall in installation figures and a lower feed-in tariff rate have painted a bleak picture for the future of solar in the UK. CompareMySolar's Managing Director, Gertjan Van der Goot, digs a little deeper to see if returns at the lower feed-in tariff rate are as bad as they seem.

The Climate Change and Energy Minister, Greg Barker spoke of his aim to upgrade Britain’s leaky housing stock by using the Coalition’s Green Deal to enhance properties “kerb appeal” by transforming “energy efficiency from the image of dirty, dusty loft insulation to cosy living rooms and beautiful houses. From loft to living room and boring to bling.”

The Government has today announced plans to ensure the future of the Feed-in Tariffs scheme to make it more predictable. Transparency, longevity and certainty are at the heart of the new improved scheme.

E.ON put forward that it would cut electricity prices by 6%, while Scottish Power chose to cut gas prices by 5%. Both changes are due to come into effect at the end of February.

The moves followed a 5% electricity price slash by British Gas, and cuts to gas prices of 5% by EDF Energy and npower, and of 4.5% by SSE.