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Funding for rooftop solar on public buildings received a significant boost as part of the government’s £1 billion Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, released today.
Within the strategy, £932 million has been allocated for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which will see 429 projects around England receive funding. This will be used for a number of measures, including the installation of rooftop solar, storage and heat pumps.
“While reaching our climate targets will require extensive change across our economy, we must do so in a way that protects jobs, creates new industries and attracts inward investment - without pushing emissions and business abroad,” said energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
“Ahead of COP26, the UK is showing the world how we can cut emissions, create jobs and unleash private investment and economic growth. Today’s strategy builds on this winning formula as we transition low carbon and renewable energy sources, while supporting the competitiveness of Britain’s industrial base.”
Beyond the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) laid out £171 million from the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge, which will see nine green tech projects around Britain receive funding. These are predominantly industrial clusters, looking at carbon capture and storage as well as hydrogen to decarbonise high emission activities like manufacturing.
Rooftop solar key technology for decarbonising public buildings
Within the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, BEIS has identified over 400 projects that will receive a cut of the £932 million allocated for the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme across four key areas.
The scheme was first announced in October 2020, when the government stated £1 billion of grant funding would be made available for heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures across the public sector, central government departments and non-departmental public bodies.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority is to received £78,236,986 for 15 bodies in the Greater Manchester public estate, including transport, fire and rescue services, police and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as community buildings including 36 schools and 22 leisure centres.
These buildings will see significant green upgrades including air source heat pumps and solar installations, along with new lighting systems.
Leicester City Council will receive £24,253,008 to allow it to upgrade 93 buildings including 53 schools. Similarly this will include replacing natural gas heating with air source heat pumps, installing solar panels and improving insulation.
Hertfordshire County Council will use £24,007,737 to upgrade 182 council buildings, including 74 schools and 23 emergency service buildings. Heat pumps, battery storage and solar panels will be installed at the sites, along with energy efficiency improvements.
Finally, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will use £12,640,760 to install solar panels, heat pumps and roof insulation. A mass replacement of lighting will also be undertaken, inefficient air compressors replaced and a new supply point to Castle Hill Hospital created.
For more information on the Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy, see our full coverage on our sister site Current±