UK government opens solar funding to businesses
The UK government has invited businesses to apply for a share of £455,000 ($578,000) in solar innovation funding. The funds have been made available by Innovate UK, a division of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and will be given to firms that demonstrate innovative, low-cost photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing solutions, advances in PV system integration or future cost-cutting in concentrating solar power. The deadline for pre-proposal applications is 20 February 2017.

A small amount of government-backed funding for solar power innovation has been made available today by Innovate UK, a division of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

The monies available – a mere £455,000 ($575,000) – will be granted to successful projects that develop products designed to increase Europe’s market share in solar power.

Innovate UK’s involvement is part of a Europe-wide competition called Solar-era.net that aims to strengthen the solar manufacturing base in Europe, with a grander goal of increasing Europe’s market share in this increasingly competitive field.

British companies wishing to apply for a share of the grant should be able to demonstrate innovative and/or low-cost PV manufacturing solutions; develop advanced PV products and applications; exhibits advances in PV system integration, or be able to move forward cost reductions in concentrating solar power (CSP).

The Solar-era.net program brings together more than 20 solar innovation fields across Europe with the aim or increasing transnational cooperation on matters pertaining to solar research and development.

Pre-proposal applications for the Innovate UK fund must be submitted by February 20, 2017, with the full proposal deadline of June 14, 2017. Successful projects must involve at least two partners from two different countries.

Popular content This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com. Share Ian Clover Ian joined the pv magazine team in 2013 and specializes in power electronics (inverters) and battery storage. Ian also reported on the UK solar market, having worked as a print and web journalist in Britain for various multimedia companies, covering topics ranging from renewable energy and sustainability to real estate, sport and film. More articles from Ian Clover Related content Elsewhere on pv magazine...