Patrick Harvie has been accused of "holding back" solar power in Scotland after it was revealed he refused to raise limits on the size of projects eligible for business rates relief.
Scottish Lib Dems economy spokesperson Willie Rennie hit out at the Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights saying the situation was "astonishing" that Harvie wasn't willing to help firms across the country.
Rennie said: " Patrick Harvie is holding back Scottish solar power. His sole role in government seems to be greenwashing SNP failures."
According to planning rules north of the border firms are limited on the size of solar panel projects before going through what can be a lengthy planning application.
The limit in Scotland is currently 50kW, however it's 100kW in the rest of the United Kingdom therefore projects must produce less than 50kW in order to be eligible for relief.
Rennie called for the cap on rates relief to be lifted in order to help companies across the country get through the tough winter months.
He said: "Every solar panel installed on a building in Scotland is a blow struck against the energy crisis and Vladimir Putin’s fossil fuel blackmail. Raising the cap on rates relief for solar developments is a common sense measure that could help businesses to bring down costs and support them through the tough winter ahead.
"The need to expand renewable energy and to move to cheaper forms of electricity production are both more urgent than ever. Solar power can help on both of these fronts.
"The UK Government has announced it will lift the 50kW cap for business rates relief. It means businesses won’t pay rates if they do their bit for the climate. It’s astonishing that the Scottish Government are not leaping at the opportunity to boost domestic solar power. Patrick Harvie is holding back Scottish solar power. His sole role in government seems to be greenwashing SNP failures."
In a letter to Rennie, Harvie explained that "non-domestic rates policies are kept under review".
He added: "The Scottish Budget 2022-23 expanded eligibility for Business Growth Accelerator relief for property improvements to include the installation of solar panels as a qualifying improvement. The Business Growth Accelerator provides 100% relief on new builds for up to 12 months after first occupation and no rates increases for 12 months after a qualifying property improvement.
"All our non-domestic rates policies are kept under review. Decisions on any non-domestic rates policies will be set out in the Scottish budget alongside other government priorities in light of affordability."
Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings Patrick Harvie said: “The Scottish Government provides non-domestic rates relief for small scale solar energy producers, and supports microgeneration producers and businesses that retrofit micro renewable schemes to meet part of their energy needs. We will continue to consider how this support can develop.
“We recognise the importance of solar power in contributing to our net zero journey and we remain committed to continuing to work with the solar sector to provide a supportive policy framework to help it continue to grow.
"We have been working closely with industry in recent months on developing the solar vision which will be published in our Energy Strategy and Just Transition Plan later this year and provide the certainty needed for investment in our energy transition.”
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