§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what plans she has to expand her Department's support of photo-voltaic solar power; [72818]
(2) if her Department will continue to provide support for the installation of photo-voltaic solar panels in the UK. [72817]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Government's aim is to work with industry and others to achieve a UK solar photovoltaic demonstration programme in line with those of our major competitors.
I announced the first phase of this major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (PV MDP) on 26 March. The £20 million made available under the first phase is expected to increase tenfold the number of domestic PV installations in the UK by 2005.
Decisions on the next phase will be taken in the light of experience gained with the first phase.