A COMPANY which installs solar panels has helped win a landmark legal case after judges ruled the government acted unlawfully by slashing subsidies paid to green energy producers.

Burnley-based company Solarlec, who install more than 1,200 panels every month, have welcomed the Supreme Court decision.

The firm launched an appeal in November following the decision to halve the rate of the feed-in tariff scheme, paid out to consumers and businesses for producing their own renewable energy, from December 12.

Last week, the court ruled that the government had acted unlawfully by introducing the lower rate before the end of a consultation period, leaving companies like Solarlec with hundreds of installations to complete in a matter of weeks to enable consumers to benefit from the existing rate.

Following the ruling, homeowners and businesses who had solar panel systems installed between December 12 and March 3 can now claim the higher rate for that period.

Ged Rowbottom, director at Solarlec, said: "This is great news for the solar industry as it proves tariff rates can't be changed retrospectively and companies like Solarlec were right to challenge the government's actions.

"However, the government are now certain to reduce the tariffs for new entrants in July this year, so we're preparing for another deadline rush leading up to July.”

Solarlec’s most recent contract was to install solar panels on three NHS buildings in Yorkshire-based health trust.

Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation have had 10KW systems fitted at three mental health facilities, located in Middleton, Headingley and Guiseley.