Warm Homes Plan

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, I welcome the Government’s emphasis on solar. Is my noble friend following developments in the use of perovskite, a material that potentially greatly increases solar panel efficiency by as much as 30%, while reducing panel manufacturing costs? Are we monitoring the work being carried out by Oxford PV, a company—among others—at the forefront of the development of this technology? Can we be assured that, if it turns out to be commercially viable, we will back manufacture of the product in the United Kingdom and not leave it to the Germans or Chinese to take control of the market?

[Lord Whitehead (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his question. It might be helpful if I go into a brief disquisition on perovskite and its qualities, to inform the House about the noble Lord’s question.

Perovskite is, quite simply, a wonder product in terms of solar development. It is a mineral, but largely made synthetically, and manages to trap a wider spectrum of the sun’s rays than traditional silica does. So-called tandem panels which have a silica panel underneath and a perovskite film on top have an increased efficiency of 20% to 30%—which is a fantastic addition. With solar on a field basis, far more power can be got out of a smaller series of solar arrays. As far as home solar is concerned, an enormous boost can be achieved—perhaps half the power used can be got from the roof, with the same amount of solar panels than would have been put on previously. It is a very exciting development.

Oxford PV is the company spin-out from Oxford University, which is engaging in the development and commercialisation of those tandem panels. There is also a pilot production line under way in Germany.

The Government have been very supportive of Oxford PV in its journey. There was an original grant for Oxford PV of, I think, £668,000 in 2014 and there have been grants from UKRI subsequently. Oxford PV is presently in some discussions with the Department for Business and Trade, as this is something that we very much look forward to developing for the great advantage of the solar world generally. I assure the noble Lord that the Government are active in this pursuit, with the prizes that it can bring.

Domestic Solar Panels

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Monday 25th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

I now call the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, to make a virtual contribution.

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]]

With the price of panels a key consideration in housing costs, and with 75% of the world’s production in China, why can the Government not sponsor a taskforce of engineers and chemists et al with the task of designing and establishing a polysilicon manufacturing plant facility for use in wider solar panel production? The site could be located under a regime of regional development with climate incentives. Polysilicon stands at the heart of competitive solar panel production internationally. That is why the Chinese lead, and why we should be investing now.

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

I am very grateful to my noble friend for that very helpful suggestion. I will make sure the taskforce gives it earnest consideration.

Domestic Heat Pumps: Budget Underspend

Lord Campbell-Savours Excerpts

Tuesday 28th February 2023 Lords Chamber

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, will participate remotely.

[Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, with heat pump technology plagued by misinformation, can the Government not sponsor a network of privately or commercially occupied exhibition homes with air source heat pumps installed, where potential investors can be advised on the efficacy of their installation and the need for accompanying measures of draught and insulation control, without which they are ineffective and a waste of money? A well-designed installation will give 3 to 4 kilowatts of heat output per kilowatt of mains supply. That is a good return.

[Lord Callanan (Con)]

I agree with the noble Lord’s figures on the efficiency of heat pumps. He will find that there are a number of show properties around the country already; a lot of the installers or manufacturers already have showrooms demonstrating the technology for prospective purchasers.