Memorandum submitted by Mr James Page (LCT 33)

 

I attended your recent meeting where one member asked Andrew Simms about solar water heating, noting that there are only a few thousand installations each year, when the overall target is for some millions.

 

Notwithstanding incentive schemes in the pipeline, and that in some boroughs new houses are required to provide renewable energy, the fact is that the vast majority of developments in this part of London are loft extensions: every other house is rapidly being extended. This will often make it more difficult to add solar later (and sooner or later it will be needed.) It is also a lost renewables opportunity: if there were an obligation on extensions incorporating solar thermal, where possible, we would rapidly see an increase in numbers, as well as the training which will needed. It would require no public money and the householder would be only too pleased to oblige if it gets them the planning permission for the extension.

 

June 2009