Rising energy prices and record levels of unemployment are pushing more and more UK homes into fuel poverty, according to government warnings, but new research by experts at Sheffield Hallam could be set to tackle the problem with the use of green energy solutions.

Fuel poverty, where a household spends more than 10 per cent of its income on heating their home, now affects almost four million UK households, but a two year research project being led by Dr Fin O'Flaherty from the Materials and Engineering Research Institute will look at how solar technologies can be utilised to make energy more affordable.

Funded by the Eaga Partnership Charitable Trust (eCT) and working in partnership with Dr James Pinder of consultancy firm Positive Sum Ltd, Dr O'Flaherty will use detailed analysis of energy generation and consumption at two groups of houses fitted with renewable technologies. The feedback will then be used to evaluate the potential impact of renewable energy sources on household fuel expenditure.

Dr O'Flaherty said, 'Understanding how low-income households can benefit from clean energy is essential if we're to meet the government's target of cutting the UK's C02 emissions by 80 per cent. It's really about asking how we can make going green socially inclusive.

'Binding targets to cut C02 emissions will encourage all of us to adopt more low carbon lifestyles. Key to this is rethinking how we use energy in our homes, but there is a risk that vulnerable households get left behind as the rest of us make the switch.'

The eCT specialises in funding research into the relief of fuel poverty and the promotion of energy among vulnerable consumers, and so far this year it has agreed funding in excess of £275,000 on a variety of research projects.

Dr Naomi Brown, trust manager for the eCT, added, 'At a time when the number of fuel poor households is rising, it is essential that we gain better understanding of how renewable technologies can help alleviate fuel poverty.

'This research will provide a better understanding of which forms of renewables represent the best value for money for alleviating fuel poverty, and we are very pleased to provide funding.'

For more information about this project, visit www.shu.ac.uk/meri