Charities and organisations like schools and hospitals have until June to apply for grants through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to install green energy generating equipment like solar panels, wind turbines or biomass boilers.

Homeowners have until June next year to apply. Already 7820 homes in the UK have been allocated a share of £10.4m. In total, since the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was launched in 2006, almost 12,000 projects have been awarded grants.

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Sustainable Development and Energy Innovation Minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath said: "Encouraging people and communities to generate their own green energy can help in the fight against climate change.

"The Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides money towards the upfront costs of installing equipment like solar panels, wind turbines or biomass boilers and it has the potential to help hundreds more homes and public sector buildings.

"I am particularly pleased that 367 schools have benefitted from Low Carbon Buildings Programme funds. Not only do schools have the opportunity to cut fuel bills by generating their own energy, but pupils can learn about climate change.

"As well as these grants, the Government has introduced new laws so those who do install their own energy generating kit will soon be able to claim money for the electricity or heat they produce."

(CD/JM)