by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Livelihoods hang in the balance as solar panel firms face more uncertainty over an appeal against the Government's "legally flawed" decision to slash feed-in tariffs.

Jobs across the county remain at risk after ministers outraged the industry by abruptly halving the tariff from 43p to 21p from December 12.

The decision sparked huge demand from businesses and householders desperate to retain the old tariff and firms worked around the clock for six weeks. But many were left disappointed as time ran out and orders plummeted.

The High Court ruled just before Christmas that the policy change was "legally flawed". prompting hopes that the deadline would be put back to April.

Derek Dilks, commercial director of Affinitus Energy, based in Sittingbourne, said the industry was in limbo. Fifteen staff would be laid off if the deadline was not extended, Mr Dilks said. "Work dried up after the 12th. We're keeping the guys on in the hope that everything's OK."

He admitted the 43p tariff was over-generous but should have been reduced in stages.

He added: "Nobody knows what's going on. How can we run a business like this? People’s livelihoods are hanging in the balance."

The Green Home Company, based in Maidstone, welcomed the court's decision. Alan Proto said: "We believe that solar energy has an important part to play in the future of the UK's energy mix and whilst cuts to the subsidy is necessary, there is no question that the government's handling of the feed in tariff cut has sent a shock wave through the industry."

Swale Heating's sales director Matthew Edwards ruled out job losses but called on the Government to rethink its plans.

"The tariff changes were brought in virtually overnight and caused great disruption."