Sep 1 2005
London's Regent Street and an Eco Centre in Wales are among 18 projects that will share over £1.5million in funding
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks has announced today the latest successful solar energy schemes that will receive Government money under the Solar Photovoltaic Major Demonstration Programme.
Malcolm Wicks said: "Solar is a clean, green energy source that the Government is supporting through this funding programme and which we will continue to support in future with the Low Carbon Building strategy currently being developed. The successful applicants announced today have all demonstrated practical and exciting projects that will add to the proportion of the UK's energy that comes from renewable sources."
The projects include a 16th century Grade II Elizabethan farmhouse in Shropshire that has been given over £30,000 so that it can be converted into a carbon neutral eco-home as well as the Regent Street venture and Eco Centre in Glamorgan. Housing development and education centre schemes have also been given the go ahead.
The DTI's PV programme began in 2002 and has been designed to help meet the UK's longer term needs for clean electricity supplies. It is contributing toward the Government's '10% renewable energy by 2010' target. The Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the DTI administers the programme, which to date has given out grants totalling over £20million.
David Weatherall Solar PV Programme Manager at the Energy Saving Trust said; "We are pleased that we were again able to offer grant funding to a wide variety of innovate projects. The overall standard of applications was really high and it's encouraging to see the excellent work being carried out across the UK to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
"There is still funding available for large scale projects, deadlines for applications are 2 September and 2 December.
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