Solar Impulse pilot defends UK subsidy cuts

Bertrand Piccard, the mastermind of a solar-powered attempt to circumnavigate the globe, draws fire after backing government decision to cut solar panel subsidies by 65%

Bertrand Piccard , the pioneer of a solar-powered attempt to fly around the Earth, has defended a decision by David Cameron's government to cut subsidies for householders installing solar panels by 65%.

A cap on subsidies has fanned industry fears that the rate of domestic solar panel installations is set to halve, and the government admits that more than half the UK solar industry's 32,000 jobs could be lost.