Flintshire Council is one of the first local authorities in the UK to introduce a grant for solar hot water systems, which will help more small businesses and home owners take advantage of renewable energy sources.

A top-up grant of £400 will be given to 20 private households in the county who claim the government's Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP) grant for solar thermal technology installations.

The Energy Saving Trust manages the programme, which offers householders grants towards the cost of installing certified products for different types of renewable energy technologies.

The funding from both schemes added together could result in an overall grant of up to £800. This provides a significant saving on a typical system, which can cost between £2,500 and £4,000.

Cllr Helen Yale, Flintshire Council's executive member for estate management, said: "Flintshire Council is undertaking a number of low carbon projects in its own buildings and council properties and we wanted to help residents in the private sector take up measures which reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions."

Nia Prys-Williams, home energy conservation officer, said: "A solar hot water system could really help reduce fuel bills, particularly if you have a large family and a high hot water demand.

"A well positioned system can provide between 50 and 70 per cent of your annual hot water demand."