A BRITISH solar energy company says it will scrap plans to expand into four regional Victorian centres, creating up to 120 jobs, if the Baillieu government substantially cuts a household subsidy scheme for rooftop panels.

Mark Group chief executive Rob Grant said a decision to open offices in Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley had been put on hold until the announcement of changes to a program that pays households a premium rate for energy fed into the power grid.

Mark Group says it has been frustrated by doubts over whether the renewable energy programs will survive. Credit:Justin McManus

A plan to hire about 100 electrical, installation and sales staff for his Melbourne office based in Tullamarine had also been delayed.

Electricity companies in Victoria pay households 60¢ per kilowatt hour generated, but the premium rate is limited to the first 100 megawatts installed. That threshold has nearly been reached. The Baillieu government is yet to announce the scheme's future, but says it is considering ''interim policy measures'' to apply into next year while the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission examines the situation.