phase two of the programme. Phase two used a framework of suppliers and products which had to be used by applicants when applying for a grant. The framework was established through an OJEU tender process, with the intention of providing certainty to the industry and further reducing technology costs through economies of scale. The schemes replaced by the Low Carbon Building Programme were also seen as being under funded, with only £45m having been invested in them. The Solar PV programme was originally intended to ‘establish the UK as a credible player.... alongside Germany and Japan’, however in 2004 the UK installed 2.5MW of photovoltaic electricity capacity, compared to over 300MW in Germany. On 21 March 2007, it was announced in the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget Statement that the funding of grants for homes would be increased again to £18 million in the new financial year for a new, restructured, scheme. Closure The LCBP was closed to new applications on 24 May 2010, as part of a plan by the Department of Energy and Climate Change to cut £85m from its budget as its contribution towards the Coalition Government's spending cuts. Previous schemes The LCBP replaced two earlier schemes, the 'Major Photovoltaics Demonstration programme', which assisted with photovoltaic installations, and the 'Clear Skies' programme, which aided other microgeneration installations. The Government were criticised by the photovoltaic industry for ending the PV programme 6 years early. and also for allowing a funding gap to develop between the old and new programmes, which caused significant disruption to the renewables industry. See also Microgeneration Low-carbon building Energy efficiency in British housing Energy policy of the United Kingdom Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006 Renewable energy in the European Union Code for Sustainable Homes References External links Energy Saving Trust, programme managers of phase one of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme BRE, the Building Research Establishment, programme managers of phase two of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Low Carbon Scheme Closure News items 30 March 2008, Green Building Press: Now it's the SLOW carbon building programme 17 January 2008, Daily Telegraph: Sun setting on solar power? Low-energy building in the United Kingdom Renewable energy in England Renewable energy in Scotland Renewable energy in Wales