Last week, Ed Miliband’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched a new policy: “Rooftop solar for new builds to save people money.”
The idea is that by “unleashing a rooftop revolution… a typical
existing UK home could save around £530 a year from installing rooftop
solar”. This, said Miliband in news interviews and his trademark social media skit,
is “just common sense”. Once again, however, the economics underpinning
the Government’s interpretation of “common sense” is not so
straightforward and requires a lot to be taken for granted – or simply
ignored.
“Looking both ways before you cross the road,” explains the Secretary
of State, “not leaving your house without your keys… brushing your
teeth before you go to bed… and yes, putting solar panels on the
rooftops of new homes. It’s just common sense.” “Cutting energy bills by
hundreds of pounds,” he concludes, “who could possibly be against
that?”...<<<Read More>>>...
