Extracts from the Nov-Dec 2002 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

2. PV Lifts off

Work on the first home to be fitted with solar roof-slates under the Government initiative to encourage the use of solar power in the UK was completed during the summer. The funding for the solar roofs was made available through the DTI's Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (PV MDP). In May, the first nine applications for small-scale projects were agreed, including the first home in Dover, Kent. In June Minister for Energy Brian Wilson visited the offices of Solar Century, the UK’s largest solar electric solutions company, responsible for installing the roof under a £20m Government scheme designed to increase the number of domestic photovoltaic installations in the UK ten fold by 2005.

Mr Wilson said: "It is very encouraging that the first PV slates under this scheme have been installed on ordinary homes. Thousands of homes and offices across the UK are now set to be powered by solar power under the £20m programme announced in March. We are offering grants to both the public and private sectors to install systems on new or existing buildings."

Solar Century are one of 15 installation companies to be accredited to fit solar roofs under the PV MDP. This installer accreditation scheme together with an approved product list is intended to ensure that only good quality installations are subsidised under the programme.

Other solar initiatives recently announced by Brian Wilson include the domestic and large-Scale Field Trials: £4m for sun-powered social and private housing developments across the UK, representing 380 houses, flats and bungalow, and £4m for the installation of solar systems on large-scale public buildings.

For further information on grants contact the Enquiry Line on Freephone 0800 298 3978 or www.solarpvgrants.co.uk

* The £20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (MDP), should result in 3,000 domestic roofs and 140 larger non-residential buildings receiving PV systems over the next three years. In addition, the Domestic and Large Scale Field Trails are already underway with a combined budget of around £10 million. They should result in at least 500 domestic roofs and 15 large public buildings receiving PV installations. Subsequent phases of the MDP are dependent on the success of the First Phase and on sufficient funds being available.

The government are also considering support for solar heating systems, along with other small-scale renewable technologies, under the £10 million Community and Household Scheme, which is currently being designed.

More PV Net Metered

Npower has set up a new net metering scheme for PV solar in partnership with Solar Century, the photovoltaic panel installation company. Customers will be able to sell any excess electricity they generate to Npower. During times when there is insufficient daylight to generate enough power, users will be able to buy electricity back from Npower, the transactions being handled via a special account. Jeremy Leggett, chief executive of Solar Century, told the Independent: ‘This is an exclusive agreement with Npower. We will have access to five million customers’. The first project under the scheme is a solar roof on an indoor training facility at Birminghams Alexander Stadium, with £270,000 from the DTI and £70,000 from npower. TXU Eastern also run a PV net metering scheme. It looks like the idea is catching on.