§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what surveys have been carried out into the benefits of solar heating systems in houses; what discussions she has had with housebuilders regarding installing solar heating systems when building houses; and if she will make a statement. [25296]
§ Mr. Battle[holding answer 27 January 1998]: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have the policy lead on solar energy technologies, whereas it is the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) which sponsors the construction industry. There is, of course a constructive dialogue between the Departments for implementing policy in this area.
A detailed survey was carried out in May 1995, commissioned by the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme. The objectives of the survey were to establish how many active solar water heating systems have been installed, how many are still in use and how they have performed. As part of the work, a questionnaire was sent to about 1400 households, 50 per cent. of which were returned. The report concluded that some 49,000 active solar heating systems had been installed in Britain, of which 42,000 were still in use. In general, systems were performing well and the majority of users were 'very satisfied' with their system. The report is available from the Renewable Energy Enquiries Bureau at ETSU—"Survey of Active Solar Heating Systems in the UK—ETSU S/P3/00238/REP".
In addition, as part of the DETR's Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, an R and D project is currently underway, aiming to assess the performance and economics of installing modern solar heating systems on a housing association site of new-built family houses. Following occupation, eight of the houses will be monitored to measure solar radiation and energy input into heating and domestic hot water, to establish the ratio 482W of hot water provided by the solar system. Occupants will also be questioned on their level of satisfaction. A parallel EU-funded THERMIE project aims to establish economic factors such as installation and running costs.
There have been no discussions between DTI or DETR Ministers and housebuilders regarding installing solar heating systems when building houses. However, DTI officials have an active collaboration with the solar heating industry and DETR officials have regular contacts with the building industry on a whole range of energy saving measures in housebuilding.