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Bright future forecast for Solar Energy
21st December 2004
Energy Minister Mike O’Brien today announced that 15 new solar photovoltaic (PV) energy projects across the UK will receive almost £1 million in funding, bringing the total amount awarded to medium and large-scale projects since the Government established its scheme in 2002 to £17.4 million and putting renewable energy firmly in the mainstream.
Part of the Government’s aim to see the UK generating 10 per cent of its electricity needs from renewable resources by 2010, the solar PV grant programme is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and managed by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
Since the establishment of the scheme, 166 medium and large-scale projects from throughout the UK have been granted funding and on completion will generate 5391kWp of electricity.
Mike O’Brien said: “Projects in the hearts of our towns and cities and in the remotest islands are set to benefit from this next round of funding for solar generation. Solar installations are a visual reminder that we need to be increasingly innovative in our electricity generation if we are to stop our day to day lives damaging the environment.”
Kirk Archibald, Solar PV Programme Manager at EST said: “We are delighted that we have been able to offer grant funding to such a wide variety of forward-thinking projects. The judges were pleased with the overall standard of applicants and encouraged to see the excellent work being carried out throughout the UK to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.”
Recipients of this round of solar PV grant awards include:
> London’s National Maritime Museum which is going to use the installation to generate renewable energy for the site. It will also incorporate it into an Eco-exhibition, where the use of solar power will be discussed and the photovoltaic system’s monitoring equipment will form part of the exhibit.
> Moreton Hall Primary School in Suffolk will use the funding to install a photovoltaic array that will provide 20 percent of all energy consumption within the new primary school.
> Following Plymouth Council’s phased installation of 350 solar powered bus stops, the Council is using its grant to rebuild its bus interchange. This will see 112 advanced hybrid-crystalline photovoltaic modules built along a curved standing seam roof, which has the potential for excellent public exposure.
> The remote Scottish island of Foula, Shetland’s most westerly island, with a population of just 31, is completely isolated from the national grid and must generate all its power locally. The grant will be used to build a hybrid system that will provide 100 per cent of the island¿s power requirements through the use of a photovoltaic array fitted to the community hall roof and a hydro electric plant.
Photovoltaic systems are non-polluting energy sources that convert sunlight directly into electricity, even on cloudy days. For every year a typical household system operates, one tonne of carbon dioxide emissions can be saved. Each installation contributes to the Government’s aim of generating 10 per cent of the UK’s electricity needs from renewable resources by 2010.
To find out more about PV and obtaining a DTI funded grant contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 298 3978 or click the link below:
