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A workman installs solar panels on a roof

Two of the nation’s most trusted institutions, the National Trust and the Church of England, have rounded on the government over its troubled efforts to cut subsidies for household solar panels.

“Sudden lurches in policy and support send a bad signal,” said the two groups, which have helped put solar power systems on castles, schools, churches – and even a cathedral.

In a joint letter to ministers, they call for community solar projects to be protected from cuts, warning that the viability of many of their planned installations has been cast into doubt by the government’s efforts to rein in the soaring cost of supporting solar energy generation.

The National Trust said it had 57 prospective solar sites in Yorkshire and the north-east that were being reassessed in light of ministers’ plans to cut subsidies under the so-called feed-in tariff scheme.

The Church of England, which has backed more than 200 solar power installations on vicarages, churches and other buildings, said the government’s move was “seriously damaging” efforts by local energy groups working with churches to expand such activities.

Their opposition creates a fresh problem for ministers after an embarrassing High Court defeat on Wednesday to groups arguing that the proposed reductions were unfairly rushed through.

The government originally gave six weeks’ notice that, because of an unexpected rush of installations, it intended to halve solar support rates from December 12, nearly two weeks before a consultation period ending on Friday.

That prompted a panic at solar companies, with some working seven-day weeks to beat the deadline. A record 29,880 installations were recorded in the week ending December 11, and just 812 in the following week, official figures show.

The High Court ruled the process unlawful on Wednesday. The Department of Energy and Climate Change said it would appeal, leaving the industry uncertain about how long the old, higher rate of subsidies will last.

“The effect of the judgment is unclear,” said Chris Paul, a partner at the Trowers & Hamlins law firm. “It could mean that DECC has to restart the consultation process, or otherwise amend the proposed date for implementation of the proposed changes from 12 December.”

Some fear a delay could lead to more severe cutbacks for all renewable energy suppliers eligible for subsidies under the so-called feed-in tariff scheme, which also covers wind, hydroelectric and other forms of generation.

The scheme, which is similar to ones many European countries have launched to encourage low-carbon electricity generation, pays households or businesses for renewable energy they use themselves, as well as any power exported to the grid.

Although the money paid comes from a small charge on consumers’ electricity bills, not government coffers, ministers have capped the amount that can be spent at £867m up to 2015. If more solar systems are fitted, some worry the government might impose broader cuts, or even end the scheme altogether.

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