§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what practical research projects he has commissioned into solar energy; what discussions he has had with his counterparts in (i) Japan and (ii) Germany on this subject; and if he will make a statement. [92277]
§ Mr. BattleMy Department has had a solar energy R&D programme for a number of years, as part of the New and Renewable Energy Programme. The budget for the photovoltaics (PV) element has doubled from £0.5 million to £1 million over the past 2 years.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has also run a significant photovoltaics R&D programme, with a budget of £1 million per annum for the past four years. PV is now included in the EPSRC's new £3.5 million per annum programme on Renewable and New Energy Technologies.
In addition, the Foresight Scolar Programme, which aims to put PV systems onto 100 schools and colleges across the country by 2000, is receiving funding from Government for £1 million of the total £2.5 million costs.
In my speech at the Manchester DTI/EPSRC PV Conference on 17 February, I announced three major new PV initiatives:
- a) a call for proposals for the development of PV components and systems, with the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of UK companies;
- b) a field trial for at least 100 homes across the country to test a variety of actual PV installations under UK conditions;
- c) development of a scheme to demonstrate the use of PV in large-scale commercial building applications.
The total value of these three initiatives is expected to be £15 million, with £5 million coming from the DTI. In the case of the demonstration scheme the final go-ahead will have to await the outcome of the Renewables Review.
The subject of solar energy has not arisen in recent discussions with my counterparts in Japan and Germany, but our embassies in those and other countries keep my officials regularly updated on their programmes in this area.