Government extends controversial solar tax

The Czech government has extended the so-called solar tax, introduced in 2010 to balance high buying price of photovoltaic electricity. The 26-percent tax was to end at the end of the year; however, the government decided to extend it for years to come, lowering it to 10 percent. The decision has drawn criticism from owners of photovoltaic plants who say a series of government measures aimed at driving down the costs of solar electricity has greatly diminished the profitability of the industry.