§ 49. Miss Boothroydasked the Minister of Overseas Development what is being done through the aid programme to promote projects for the conservation of solar energy in the developing countries as a means of energy saving; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWe have so far supported through the aid programme a limited amount of research in the United Kingdom and developing countries in wind and solar power, and hope to encourage more. Details of my Department's current and proposed projects are as follows:
MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT CURRENT AND PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE FIELDS OF WIND AND SOLAR ENERGY
Current Projects
- Development of a simple, cheap solar water heater: University of Sierra Leone.
- Development of a small solar powered refrigerator: Asian Institute of Technology.
- Study of methods to improve the design and operation of solar powered kilns for timber drying: Commonwealth Forestry Institute.
- Preparation and publication of a catalogue of small-scale power sources and equipment, including solar-powered devices: Intermediate Technology Development Group Limited.
Projects under Consideration
- Development of a small stationary steam engine powered by solar energy.