The government has announced £36m funding for Swansea University to develop building materials that generate electricity using light and heat from the sun.

These materials could replace conventional walls, roofs and windows. Chancellor Philip Hammond, said: “This £36m new funding will support exciting green technology that could cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and create better homes and workspaces.”

The funding, through the ‘Transforming Construction’ challenge of the government’s Industrial Strategy, will develop supply chains in the UK and give certainty to leading researchers and students, helping attract more investment and jobs to the local area.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is delivering the funding. UKRI Chief executive Mark Walport said: “As we move towards a low-carbon economy, we need to explore more efficient ways of generating, conserving and using power and energy. Active buildings, which integrate solar generation and storage technologies for electricity and heat within their construction, can help to achieve this. The Active Building Centre will work to remove barriers to the large-scale adoption of active buildings on new developments throughout the country.”

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The home is where much of the innovation in the energy industry has to take place, whether it is using new technologies or in convincing consumers to be more active energy users –The New Power Interview: Lesley Rudd, Sustainable Energy Association

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