6 APRIL 2010
IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MURRAY WELCOMES STEP FORWARD IN GREEN ENERGY DRIVE

Households and communities across Dumfries and Galloway who install electricity generating technologies such as small wind turbines and solar panels are now entitled to claim payment for the environmentally friendly electricity they produce.

The UK Government’s Clean Energy Cashback scheme, or feed-in tariff, began paying out on 1 April and households can receive up to £1000 a year.

Elaine Murray MSP said: “This scheme marks a change in our relationship with the electricity we use in our homes. Householders will now be paid for producing electricity by renewable means such as solar panels on roofs and wind turbines in gardens.

“We will only tackle man-made climate change if everyone plays their part. Rather than simply consuming electricity this scheme gives people the opportunity to turn their homes into mini green power stations.

“It will also make us all more aware about how we use electricity and how efficient our homes are. Our homes are responsible for a fifth of the UK’s emissions so it is vital we work to reduce them.”

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More information about the scheme can be found here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy/Feed-in-Tariff-Clean-Energy-Cashback-scheme.