NIE can help you harness the summer sun at home

In Northern Ireland the weather might be unpredictable but thanks to a grant scheme launched last Thursday Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) is helping to create a sunnier future for householders in the borough.

The NIE SMART Programme is pleased to announce continued support for households across Northern Ireland who would like to install a solar water heating system.

Gwyneth Compston, NIE Energy who manage the SMART programme, said this is a welcome development for Northern Ireland following the closure of the UK wide Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) funding at the end of May 2010.

Gwyneth says: “the NIE SMART programme had been successfully offering a ‘top-up’ grant to householders in Northern Ireland for solar water heating working with the LCBP and there has been a really positive uptake with over 300 householders applying for funding. It came as a surprise when the LCBP funding closed at the end of May but we remain keen, through the NIE SMART programme, to continue to support renewable energy in Northern Ireland.

“This funding for solar water heating will hopefully help to maintain a level of momentum for the local renewable energy industry and will help make the step to renewable energy a bit easier for householders.

“A solar water heating system is capable of providing up to 60% of a household’s hot water needs every year, so significant savings can be made on heating bills and on a household’s carbon footprint. We hope that this continued funding will encourage more homes across Northern Ireland to consider alternative sources of energy more seriously.“

From its launch on June 3, the NIE SMART programme offers successful applicants a grant of 400 towards the cost of a solar water heating system. The grant is available on a first come first served basis and you can find out how to apply by visiting www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk

The NIE SMART Programme is funded by Northern Ireland Electricity, the network operator, and managed by electricity supplier NIE Energy.

To find out more about saving energy and renewable energy solutions for your home, school or business log on to the NIE Your Energy website www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk