HC Deb 28 July 1988 vol 138 cc484-5W
Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what research his Department is undertaking into the development of solar energy; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what support his Department is giving for increased use of solar energy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Passive solar design of buildings is the best way to utilise solar energy in the United Kingdom. My Department is supporting a comprehensive research and development programme aimed at encouraging its integration into building design by the mid-1990s. This programme is designed to generate convincing information about the benefits of passive solar design in both housing and non-domestic buildings. Thirty-seven projects worth over £6.5 million are under way in the programme, with nearly £2 million expected to be spent in 1988–89.

Our programme has three main activities. Field studies, which will provide evidence of the energy and financial and non-financial benefits of passive solar design from measurements in real buildings throughout the United Kingdom; design studies, which provide an opportunity for design practices to explore passive solar techniques in a wide range of buliding types and produce a range of exemplar designs; and supporting R and D to improve the understanding of the operation of particular design features.

Information resulting from these studies will be put into a form that will aim to persuade building developers, designers and users to apply the principles in practice. The programme is also seeking to identify the most appropriate ways of ensuring that the results of the programme are effectively transferred to the industry nationwide.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what representations his Department has received supporting greater use of solar energy; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what representations his Department has received opposing the greater use of solar energy; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

My Department has received widespread support for its passive solar design R and D programme and its aim to encourage the integration of the technology into building design by the mid-1990s. Many of the leading design practices are playing an active part in our programme and are incorporating the technology into new buildings, both domestic and non-domestic, throughout the United Kingdom. We have received no representations opposing the greater use of solar energy.