Government urged to incentivise take-up of microgeneration

The government has been urged to offer better loans, grants and incentives to encourage the take-up of microgeneration systems.

A government-backed industry report claims buildings equipped with solar panels, mini wind turbines and other renewable energy sources could generate as much energy a year as five nuclear power stations.

The report, commissioned by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, claims that with the right incentives almost 10m micorgeneration systems could be installed by 2020.

These systems could save 30m tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of nearly 5% of all the emissions produced in generating UK electricity, reports the Guardian.

Proposed incentives include a feed-in tariff, which has garnered supported by housebuilding bodies that say it would help builders reach zero carbon goals.

Other possible incentives include grants to cover 50% of the initial costs of equipment and installation or low interest loans payable over 25 years.