§ Sir Alastair GoodladTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how much her Department spent on research into solar energy in(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98; and what plans she has for future expenditure on this. [43126]
§ Mr. BattleMy Department, under its New and Renewable Energy Programme, spent £2.0 million (net of any associated receipts) in 1996–97, and £1.6 million (net of any associated receipts) in 1997–98 on RD&D into solar energy. Within the overall solar budget the proportion allocated to photovoltaics is increasing as part of DTI's funding of the Energy Design Advice Scheme (EDAS). EDAS is being funded by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) while they consider the shape of a future energy advice scheme. Future expenditure plans are the subject of the renewable policy review, the outcome of which will be announced later this year.
123WIn addition, the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) has been spending £1 million a year over the past three years on basic and applied research, and the Office of Science and Technology (OST) has committed £1 million to the £2.5 million Foresight Challenge Solar programme which aims to put photovoltaic arrays into 100 schools and colleges across the country by 2000.