Funding
of up to £1.4m for new solar energy projects has been announced this week,
bringing the government financial backing for the technology up to an impressive
£40m. Seventeen projects will benefit from this round of funding.The projects represent a diverse use of solar power, from Edinburgh Prison to the National Wildlife Centre in Liverpool. Schools, community centres and businesses are also among those receiving a share of the money.
"Solar power is one of the renewable energy sources of the future. This latest round of successful applications is proof of its growing appeal throughout the country,” said Energy Minister Mike O’Brien, announcing the grants. “The growth and development of the solar power industry will help take us a step closer to achieving our renewable energy target of 10% of electricity by 2010, and into the decades beyond,” he added.