Written question asked by Brian White (Labour) on Thursday, 4 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 March 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what the average cost of installing (a) photovoltaic cells and (b) external wall insulation on a house was in the last year for which figures are available; and what public subsidies are available for this work. - Inc figures.

Answer: Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the average cost of installing (a) photovoltaic cells and (b) external wall insulation on a house was in the last year for which figures are available; and what public subsidies are available for this work. [160098] Mr. Timms: PV average cost based on a three-bed semi detached household system of 2kWp capacity. Depending on the type of system specified, total average costs for a 2kWp system are between £13,000 and £17,000. Under the Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme 50 per cent. is available in grant. External wall insulation costs: The marginal cost for externally insulating a three- bed semi detached house is approx 1500. The costs vary greatly according to house type and building height. Public subsidies are not available for this technology.

Secondary information