UK launches 3 million pound solar energy scheme
Date: 02-Nov-01
Country: UK
Energy Minister Brian Wilson in a statement said the money could lead to the construction of 12 to 15 large-scale solar-powered buildings across the country.
"I want to see tens of thousands of roofs covered by solar panels over the next 10 years, rivalling the large programmes in Germany and Japan," said Wilson.
"This will only happen if developers and manufacturers in the UK and elsewhere of solar equipment invest in the future of this important industry," he said.
The expansion of solar power technology is part of the government's strategy to boost the use of green energy as it attempts to curb emissions of greenhouse gases, cited by many scientists as a key contributor to global warming.
The government aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent on 1990 levels by 2010. In doing so, it wants to create a one-billion-pound market for renewable energy like solar and wind power.
The promotion of solar power for public buildings would compliment an existing scheme under which the government has provided 5.4 million pounds to fund solar energy in 540 private homes nationwide.
