As many as 2,400 of the 3,000 solar jobs in Scotland could be at risk due to the proposed 87 per cent cut to the feed-in tariff for solar energy, according to new Solar Trade Association analysis.

A new study published by the UK government’s official partner on jobs data has shown for the first time just how many solar jobs, including those in the solar supply chain, there are in every region and local area.

Across the UK, the Solar Trade Association has estimated that the jobs of up to 27,000 people employed in the solar energy sector and its supply chain are under threat.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change proposed at the end of August to cut the tariff paid for electricity generated by solar rooftop panels from 12.4p to 1.6p.

John Forster, chairman of Forster Energy, a local solar energy company based in Brechin, said: “The Prime Minister should be backing the hundreds of small and medium sized local solar businesses like mine rather than big state-owned foreign utilities.

“With a team of 43 people involved in the day to day running of our solar installation business, the impact of the UK government’s proposed cuts would be devastating to our business, our suppliers and our employees.

“Tariffs paid for solar electricity must be reduced in a steady and structured way as the technology gets cheaper, rather than a sudden 87 per cent cut.”

Across Scotland there are currently 40,841 solar homes and 975 big solar rooftops on schools, warehouses and other commercial buildings.

Solar has been praised for the way it allows households and communities to take charge of their energy bill and act on climate change. An alliance of organisations ranging from the National Farmers Union, the Confederation of British Industry, social housing providers and local authorities recently urged the government to “urgently reconsider” its proposal.

The Solar Trade Association said the government’s proposal favours solar in the South West and the south coast of England and discriminates against much of the rest of the country.

Paul Barwell, CEO, said: “Within this new set of proposals, the government has used sunlight levels you might find in Devon, rather than those found in Yorkshire as they have done in the past. Here at the Solar Trade Association however we believe more than just one corner of the country should be able to get the benefits of going solar.

“The government’s short-term thinking on bills is condemning hardworking families to a future of higher energy costs.”

According to the analysis, the jobs at risk fall into the following regions: