‘Policy uncertainty’ around solar energy criticised

Solar energy companies will have to wait until next year for vital decisions to be made on how the electricity they produce is distributed and paid for.

That is despite the fact the first solar farms — fields of solar panels — have already been granted planning permission and plans are being developed for some 200 more.

Applications by solar promoters to connect to the national electricity grid in anticipation of feeding power into it have soared from just two in 2014 to 329 last year, with a further 143 this year up to the middle of June.