The UK Government is considering changes to the Feed In Tariff (FiT) which could create unexpected difficulties for our previous projects and for community co-operatives like ours across the UK.
The tariff was a Government scheme which guaranteed payment rates for energy generation for 20 or 25 years. This encouraged householders and community cooperatives like ours to invest in green energy. This article explains a bit more about the scheme and the proposed changes.
The changes which the Government are proposing will negatively impact households which currently benefit from the tariff, but also has financial implications for community energy cooperatives like ours. FiT is no longer available, but it is part of the financial model for Edinburgh Solar Co-op’s Phase 1 and part of our Phase 2 projects. The proposed changes will not affect our upcoming Phase 3 project as the FiT has not been available for a number of years.
Energy4All, who work with us on our projects, has expressed deep concern about these changes:
“Such a change would fracture the existing investment in community energy projects (which have been based on a 20 year financial modelling on the existing system) and also undermines confidence in future projects”
The UK Government is currently consulting about this change. Edinburgh Solar Co-op board are preparing our response to this, but you may also want to respond to this consultation individually to express your concern. The consultation closes on 12th December.
How to take action about this:
Email: RO@energysecurity.gov.uk by 5pm on 12 December 2025
Email subject: Changes to Feed-in Tariff scheme
What to write? Something along these lines:
“I am concerned by the proposed changes to the Feed in Tariff. While I understand that the Government is seeking to reduce consumers’ energy bills, I do not think this is the way to do this.
I am a member of the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-op which has enabled solar panels to be installed on many public buildings across Edinburgh. Together, our Co-op has saved over 2,000 tonnes of Co2 over the past 10 years through these projects, with multiple other benefits to our city and local communities.
The Edinburgh Solar Co-op’s financial models were based upon the Feed in Tariff as this had been guaranteed for the lifetime of our projects. I invested in the Co-op to support the move to green energy, based on a sound financial model. To make changes to this tariff, and overturn that guarantee, would be a breach of promise by Government and threatens the success of these projects.
I urge you to retain the Feed in Tariff as it is.”