UK Home Energy Grants Decline By Half in 2007

Grants handed out by the government to people desiring to install green energy implements to their homes declined by more than half in 2007, according to a BBC report. This drop, from 5,104 to 2,339 grants given, follows the cutting of maximum grant offered from £7, 500 to £2,500.

The numbers show Britain to be the third worst performer in EU for utilization of renewable sources for production of energy. As of now, 2% of Britain’s energy is produced in this manner. By comparison, Germany has 200 times the number of homes fitted with solar panels.

Critics of the grants say that the low carbon emissions plan is stingy and confusing, providing minimal incentive for people to go green. Andrew Cooper, from the Renewable Energy Association, says that the plan, which was recently extended by a year, to April 2010, is a matter of making a failing programme fail over a long period and that it’s not a solution. “Government has totally ignored the advice of the renewable energy industry and the blindingly obvious evidence of their own statistics,” says Cooper.

Supporters of the plan say that it offers more individuals the opportunity to apply for grants. Says a spokesman for the department of Business Enterprises and Regulatory Reform, “More and more people are applying.” He states that in the last month, a total of 293 households successfully applied for funds, the largest number since May last year. “In total, 71 of these were applications for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on homes, which is around a 100% increase compared to last year’s monthly average.” He further stated that they would continue to monitor the take up of the scheme.

www.r-e-a.net