'Hypocrite' PM to host clean energy summit

'Hypocrite' PM to host clean energy summit David Cameron has been accused of hypocrisy for hosting a major green energy summit at the same time as slashing subsidies for solar power generation. Last month, the Government lost a Supreme Court battle over its failure to consult on halving the subsidy for solar power from 43. The aim of the conference is to improve collaboration between nations on global projects, as well as driving "public-private engagement to support clean energy deployment". But Solar Century, one of the largest UK solar firms, has been invited to attend by Mr Chu's department. Howard Johns, spokesman for the Cut Don't Kill campaign, said: "The industry is already starting to stagnate, but this passing of the 21p mark is a brutal moment. In an apparent snub to the British solar power industry, the Government has not invited anyone from the sector to the conference, which will take place at Lancaster House, London, on 25-26 April. But from 1 April, solar power carries the new 21p rate and further cuts to the subsidy are planned. Last year The IoS published an article about opposition to the subsidy cuts, with a coalition of 55 individuals and groups warning the Prime Minister will "strangle at birth" Britain's booming solar panel industry by halving the tariff overnight. The High Court ruled it was unlawful to cut the subsidy without warning. Ministers have blamed the popularity of the feed-in tariff on their decision to cut the rate, insisting that it was too expensive to sustain. The 23 nations account for 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 90 per cent of investment in clean energy. Yet The Independent on Sunday understands that one of the UK's largest solar energy companies has been invited to the conference not by the Government but by the US Department of Energy. "People from the industry have stopped being invited to meetings with ministers. The conference will take place just weeks after the introduction of a whole new feed-in tariff for solar power generation in the UK, which campaigners warn will kill off the booming sector, with 5,000 job losses. 'Hypocrite' PM to host clean energy summit Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 09/04/2012