The £1 million investment will see solar installed on tenants’ houses for free. The move will help the borough expand its energy efficiency and affordable warmth investment programme. When completed, the £1 million pot will help take the total number of council properties in the borough with solar to almost 600.
The council expects to recoup its initial investment through the associated feed-in tariff revenue from the solar arrays. Once the initial investment has been recouped, the council estimates each installation could generate around £4,000 excess for a further 10 years.
Residents who receive solar installs will benefit from unlimited use of the generated electricity for free. The council hopes that this will help save residents around 10% of their annual energy bill.
Commenting on the scheme’s expansion, Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for housing, skills and employment, said: “The expansion of our solar panel installations programme will be a great contributor not only to improving the energy efficiency of our domestic stock, but also to alleviating fuel poverty as well as reducing carbon emissions in the borough.
“The success of this programme has already allowed us to make great progress towards the challenging targets we have to achieve in line with the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. The new panels will enhance our efforts to help save energy and money for our residents. They will also raise income to improve council housing while meeting energy demand in part through cleaner, renewable, sources.”
The council will carry out the new solar installs from 1 March 2015, following the appointment of a contractor as a result of a public tender.