§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what grants are available to(a) public landlords and (b) owner-occupiers to install solar power in housing; and how many properties in Leeds have received such assistance. [132734]
§ Mr. TimmsI have been asked to reply.
There are two Government schemes supporting the installation of solar panels in houses. The first is the £20 million First Phase of the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme (PV MDP). 50 per cent. grants are available to individual householders for small PV systems, and 60 per cent. to public bodies, including social housing groups, for medium-large scale installations. The second is the £10 million Clear Skies initiative, which offers flat rate grants of around £500 to individuals wishing to install solar water heating panels, and grants of up to 50 per cent. to community groups.
So far, under the PV programme, one householder in Leeds has received a grant and two applications for medium—large scale installations have been approved. They are for Park Lane College and the Ridings Housing Association.
579WUnder Clear Skies, no applications have been received from public landlords in Leeds for solar water heating on housing, although two grants have been awarded for solar on community buildings. For individual households, three have received assistance.
for more information on these schemes please see: www.solarpvgrants.co.uk and www.clear-skies.org