Strategic Energy is set to install 1,000 PV panels on Hafod Housing Association properties under a newly signed agreement. The South Wales-based association has commissioned the work as part of its drive to bring social benefits to its communities.
“This is the latest social housing contract we have won and clearly shows the FiT scheme is far from dead,” Strategic Energy’s Director, Martin Davidson, explained.
“Our pure equity model is free for landlords so they do not lose out financially and although the rates of return are not as lucrative as they were before the government cut the tariffs, the advantages for the community – such as reducing tenants’ fuel bills and carbon emissions and creating sustainable jobs – are tremendous.”
Alan Morgan, Managing Director at Hafod Housing Association, said: “As a landlord with tenants’ best interests at heart, we identified installing solar PV panels as one way we could really help customers in these very difficult economic times.
“The reduced FiT rate means the scheme is no longer able to yield the returns it initially could, but Strategic Energy’s free system means we are no worse off financially so there are only positive outcomes for us, our people and our communities.
“From an environmental perspective, it is vital we operate as responsibly as possible which means cutting our carbon footprint wherever we can right across our business and this is another obvious way of achieving it and something other landlords need to consider when reviewing solar panels projects.”
Strategic Energy has also installed solar panels for St Vincent’s Housing Association, Cannock Chase District Council and Arcon Housing Association this year and is about to sign its largest contract to date.
“We are very close to completing an even bigger solar panel contract with another social landlord that is keen to capitalise on our model before the FiT rate drops to 16p in August,” Davidson concluded.