U.K. announces solar, wind grants

LONDON, May 25 (UPI) -- The British government Friday said grants will be made available again for those who want to install micro-wind turbines and solar panels on their homes.

The Department of Trade and Industry's Low Carbon Buildings Program has already allocated more than $13.5 million to householders and, following the addition of an extra $11.9 million in the national budget, applications are set to open Tuesday for an estimated $23.6 million remaining.

Since its launch in April 2006, the LCBP has directly funded 2,175 installations on homes. This includes 242 mini-turbines, 313 Solar PV projects and 1,467 solar thermal heating systems.

The grant scheme was put on hold in March while the application process was streamlined to make sure it benefits the sector in the long term. Key changes to the application criteria include the removal of the monthly cap and a new requirement to have planning permission before applying.

The government is consulting on removing the need for planning permission for the majority of microgeneration installations, but it must be in place for LCBP grant applicants in the meantime.

The changes are designed to overcome delays in the take-up of grants. Only half of the estimated $13.5 million already allocated by March had been spent because of supply chain issues, planning consents not in place, delays in building schedules and applicants not ready to proceed. The Department of Trade and Industry will continue to monitor these areas.