14 Sep 2010 12:09:10

Chris Huhne opens low carbon housing project

Chris Huhne has opened a low carbon housing development in Slough which is intended to educate energy suppliers about their changing role.

Developed by Scottish and Southern Energy, the ten eco homes will be studied over the next two years to establish the needs of the consumer within a low carbon society.

Some £3.5 million has been invested in creating the green community, where the buildings feature rainwater harvesting, triple glazing, enhanced insulation, solar photovoltaic panels and a renewable heat hub.

The properties, which are a mixture of family homes and one-bedroom flats, have received the highest possible rating in accordance with the Code for Sustainable Homes.

Secretary of state for energy and climate change Mr Huhne highlighted that more than a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions come from the country's homes.

"Slough's project is a glimpse into the future of how we could all be living in years to come," he added.

Figures from the energy regulator Ofgem revealed recently that record numbers of people installed solar panels on their homes in August. Since the feed-in tariff scheme was introduced in April, 6,688 homeowners have fitted the technology.