General questions and answers
How much funding is available and over what period?
In November 2005, the Energy Minister, Malcolm Wicks announced a new £30 million budget over four years for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. Launched on 1 April 2006, Phase 1 of BERR’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme will run over four years and 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. Of the £30 million budget, £1.5 million was carried forward to ease the transition between the PV and Clear Skies programmes.
The March 2007 Budget announced a further £6 million for the Householder stream. Click here for further information.
In March 2008, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme householder stream was extended for applications until June 2010 or as long as funds are available, wherever is sonner. For more information click here.
In March 2006's budget statement, it was announced that there would be a further £50 million for the programme. The Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 is BERR's new £50m capital grant stream for the installation of microgeneration technologies by organisations including local housing authorities, housing associations, schools and other public sector buildings and charitable bodies. It is not open to private households or businesses. Under Phase 2, purchase and installation of technologies must be from a specific shortlist of suppliers, and of the following technologies: Solar PV; solar hot water; wind; ground source heat pumps; and biomass. Visit the Phase 2 website for more information.
I'm a certified installer for the PV / Clear Skies - am I certified under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme?
BERR recently awarded BRE-Clear Skies the contract for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MSC) which has now replaced the previous PV and Clear Skies accreditation schemes. Certified installers for PV and Clear Skies were certified under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme on an interim basis until 31st January 2008 when they were removed unless they had applied to the new Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). For further information on certification click here.
Who is involved in the programme?
The Energy Saving Trust has been appointed to manage the programme on behalf of government (BERR) and will be responsible for administering capital grants to eligible applicants.
BRE are technical experts to the programme and will be undertaking application assessment for Stream 2 applicants.
The Carbon Trust will be providing building assessment assistance for applicants applying under Stream 2B.