A number of community renewable energy projects are to benefit from a share of more than £380,000, it has been announced.

In total, 17 projects across Scotland have been awarded funding to help support the development of green energy schemes.

The monies have been made available through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) Local Energy Challenge Fund.

More than 100 applications were submitted for a share of the funds.

The successful applicants will now be able to use the funding to develop their ideas and proposals. They have until February 2015 to carry out the development work required to apply for Phase 2 of the scheme.

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Welcoming the news, Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: "We have an ambition to put communities at the heart of local energy systems. There are huge benefits to local energy ownership, like supporting the needs of the community for decades to come, whilst creating and securing jobs, underpinning regeneration and funding energy efficiency improvements for hundreds of local people.

"We want a renewable energy market where community stakes are the norm and local groups – private and public sector – can come together to design local energy systems that suit their needs.

"The Local Energy Challenge Fund will help reshape how energy is delivered and used in communities throughout the country, confirming Scotland's position as a global leader in renewables and low carbon development."

(JP/CD)