FoE and solar companies win a Judicial Review but what does it mean?

On the 21st December, campaigners successfully challenged the Government over planned cuts to the Feed in Tariff, and won a Judicial Review with the proposals being 'legally flawed'.

The Directors (which includes me) of St John's Sunshine, and many other projects in limbo, will be pondering what this actually means.

Will the Feed in Tariff rate, slashed on the 12 December be reinstated and if so, when? Will DECC be able to overturn the decision? What does this mean for the solar industry?

One legal commentator 's blog said the ruling would not necessarily force the Government to change its future plans for the solar industry. "As I see it, the Government now has two options - it can retain FiTs at the pre-review rates, or it can revise the timeframe for the implementation of the reductions. It may have to reissue the consultation itself, depending on the nature of the ruling".

Given that many projects, like St John's Sunshine, should be  implemented by April next year, there may be light at the end of the tunnel afterall.