Low Carbon: Low Carbon Buildings Programme

By Sarah Griffiths on Sep 28, 09 01:01 PM in Tips and Advice

Launched on 1 April 2006, DECC's Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1 replaces the previous DTI Clear Skies and Solar PV grant programmes.

Open to householders, public, not for profit and commercial organisations across the UK (except the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), the programme will demonstrate how energy efficiency and microgeneration can work hand in hand to create low carbon buildings.

The aims of the programme are as follows:

To support a more holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions from buildings by demonstrating combinations of both energy efficiency measures and microgeneration products in a single development.

To see demonstrated on a wider scale emerging microgeneration technologies (with a focus on building integrated technologies).

To measure trends in costs of microgeneration technologies. It is expected that these costs should reduce over the lifetime of the programme against a 2005 baseline.

To raise awareness by linking demonstration projects to a wider programme of activities including developing skills and communicating the potential of microgeneration to change the attitudes and behaviour of consumers. Larger scale projects will seek to engage the construction industry in project replication by demonstrating the business case for developing low carbon buildings.

If you're a householder interested in generating your own heat or electricity, you can apply for a grant for up to £2,500 per property towards the cost of microgeneration technologies including:

Solar photovoltaics
Wind turbines
Small scale hydro
Solar hot water
Ground source heat pumps
Air source heat pumps
Biomass
The following technologies will also qualify for funding once certified installers and products become available:

Renewable CHP
MicroCHP (Combined heat and power)
Fuel cells

To be eligible to receive a grant you must use a certified installer and a certified product.

To find out more click here