Phase 2 Grants Available for Installation of Microgeneration Technologies

January 26, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS

Applications for grants are being accepted for phase 2 of the U.K. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Low Carbon Building Programme (LCPB) which will provide around £50 million of grants over the next two to three years to encourage uptake of renewable energy technologies in the U.K.

Phase 2 grants are available for the installation of microgeneration technologies in public sector buildings including local authority housing, housing association properties and schools, according to the Building Research Establishment Limited (BRE).

The scheme is also open to buildings belonging to charitable bodies. Applicants can receive up to £1 million of grant money for the following technologies:

• Solar photovoltaic.
• Solar thermal hot water.
• Wind turbines.
• Ground source heat pumps.
• Automated wood pellet stoves.
• Wood fuelled boilers.

BRE was appointed by the DTI to manage grant applications as well as provide the technical assessments and checks.

The LCBP is an important part of the government's drive to reduce carbon emissions and raise awareness of the free, clean sources of energy that are available, said the BRE.

Announcing the launch of Phase 2 on Dec. 11, Trade & Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said, "It is vital that we cut the C02 emissions from our buildings if we are to reach the U.K.'s 60% reduction target by 2050. Combining energy efficiency measures with the fitting of microgeneration technologies on schools and other public sector buildings can and will make a real difference."

The ability to sell excess electricity produced by some of these technologies back to the National Grid is another benefit of having them installed, said the BRE. The announcement in the chancellor's pre-budget report that income tax on these resales will be scrapped will make the technologies even more cost effective and financially appealing.

For more information on the grants and how to apply for them, visit www.lowcarbonbuildingsphase2.org.uk.

Source: Building Research Establishment Limited (BRE).