NIE SHINES NEW LIGHT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

19 Jul 2010

Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has today increased the funding incentive for homeowners who would like to install solar photovoltaic panels (PV) which generate electricity.



The NIE SMART programme has been supporting PV in Northern Ireland for a number of years but the uptake has been slowing down recently and it is hoped that this increase in support will encourage householders to consider PV as a suitable renewable energy resource for their home. Up until today the NIE SMART programme was offering householders a grant for solar PV of £1,200 per kWp but today the funding has been significantly increased to £2,000 per kWp (up to a maximum of £10,000 or 30% of the installed cost, whichever is lesser).



Gwyneth Compston from NIE Energy welcomes the boost in funding. She says: “I am delighted that the NIE SMART Programme is offering this significant increase of funding for homeowners who would like to install solar photovoltaic panels (PV). Renewable energy can considerably reduce both a household’s carbon footprint and energy bill, and we hope this additional funding will encourage more homes to consider alternative sources of energy for their home while also creating a more sustainable future.”



There is also support on offer from the SMART programme for households who would like to install a wind turbine - a grant of £900 per kWp, up to a maximum of £4,500 or 30% of the relevant eligible costs (whichever is lesser) is available. Solar water heating is also supported for householders with a grant of £400.



The NIE SMART household grants for wind, PV and solar water heating are available on a first come first served basis and you can find out how to apply by visiting www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk . Please note that all consents and permissions must be in place before making an application and grants will not be available retrospectively for installations which are already underway – applications for the increased solar PV funding will be accepted from 19th July 2010.



The NIE SMART Programme is funded by Northern Ireland Electricity, the network operator, and managed NIE Energy. To find out more about saving energy and renewable energy solutions for your home, school or business check out the NIE Your Energy website www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk .

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