Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current United Kingdom installed capacity of solar photovoltaics, in megawatts; and what targets his Department has set for an increase in installed capacity by 2000. [30077]
§ Mr. PageThe installed capacity of photovoltaics in the UK at the end of 1994 has been estimated at about 320 (kW). This estimate covers all applications including remote power, consumer goods and grid connected systems. The Government are working towards 1,500 (MW) of new electricity generating capacity from renewable sources by 2000; photovoltaics is expected to contribute marginally to this capacity on this time scale.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current level of expenditure on the development and deployment of solar photovoltaic technology in the United Kingdom; and what are the projected levels of funding for the years 1995, 1996 and 1997. [30075)]
§ Mr. PageThe spend by the Department of Trade and Industry's new and renewable energy programme on452W photovoltaics in the financial year 1994–95 was £564,000. In addition to this, there was expenditure in the UK on photovoltaics development and deployment by the Office of Science and Technology, the European Commission and the photovoltaics industry itself. Projected levels of DTI funding for new and renewable energy, including photovoltaics, were published in "Trade and Industry 1995: The Government's Expenditure Plans 1995–96 to 1997–98", and are as follows:
Year £ million 1995–96 18.0 1996–97 15.5 1997–98 15.5
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many solar photovoltaic projects in the United Kingdom his Department has supported financially. [30079]
§ Mr. PageTo date, the Department of Trade and Industry has provided financial support to 20 photovoltaics projects.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to encourage the regional electricity companies to generate electricity using(a) solar photovoltaic technology and (b) solar water heating. [30083]
§ Mr. PageMeasures are in hand to save electricity generation and encourage energy conservation by bringing the potential of photovoltaics and solar water and heating technology to the attention of the regional electricity companies. These measures include supporting, under the DTI programme
an initiative of the International Energy Agency to provide information on photovoltaics to utilities involving for example a series of seminars held at REC offices;(in association with some RECs) regional renewable energy studies to assist the RECs with their business planning for renewables. These studies have included consideration of the local resource for photovoltaics and solar water heating.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what support his Department is providing to the United Kingdom solar photovoltaic industry in order to assist an increase in its global market share; and what targets have been set for an increase in its market share. [30078]
§ Mr. PageThe Department of Trade and Industry's new and renewable energy programme in 1994 funded a business development study with the UK Photovoltaic Association to examine the world photovoltaics market and future market developments, and the opportunities for UK companies to succeed in these markets. The association has proposed its own target of a 15 per cent. market share of the world market by 2005. The DTI has initiated an export strategy for new and renewables within the overall new and renewable energy programme.
Mr. O'NeillTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to offer practical or financial assistance to householders who wish to obtain energy supplies from(a) solar photovoltaic technology and (b) solar water heating. [30082]
§ Mr PageThe Department of Trade and Industry programme is providing practical assistance to anyone interested in investing in solar technologies by providing 453W case studies, results from monitored projects and technical guidance information.