UK energy minister Malcolm Wicks has announced that there will be GBP6.2 million more funding available for consumers who want to install micro-wind turbines, solar panels and other microgeneration technologies in their homes.
The extra funding will be available as part of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP). There has been a strong response to the scheme since its launch in April and to help meet the demand the UK Department of Transport and Industry (DTI) is transferring GBP6.2million of the total GBP28.5 million phase I funding into the householder stream.
With the additional funding, there is now a total pot of GBP12.7 million for householder grants.
Phase II funding, which was announced by the chancellor in the last budget, will provide a further GBP50 million in grants for large-scale public sector projects and charitable organizations.
DTI officials will meet with representatives from the microgeneration industry shortly to discuss in more detail how the program will operate going forward.
Interest in domestic scale renewables has been growing very rapidly, commented Philip Wolfe, Renewable Energy Association chief executive. This is one of the cornerstones of the government’s microgeneration strategy, so it is vital that there is adequate funding to sustain the public’s enthusiasm.