​Solar power to generate savings and reduce carbon emissions

Savings of nearly £140,000 will be made after the installation of solar panels at the council’s operations HQ at Bradley Fold.

Some 69 panels have been fitted to the south-facing roof of the vehicle workshop of the depot by Solarcrown Ltd.

The panels will generate around 22,000kWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions by 10 tons a year.

The £27k cost of installation will be recouped after eight years and save an estimated £140k in electricity costs over the lifetime of the scheme. These add to the existing savings already being made by the installation of LED lighting at the depot three years ago.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our ambition is to become carbon neutral by 2038, and we are taking measures across the council to reduce energy use, cut pollution and save money on our power bills.

“It needs to become the norm that every building will have ‘green’ features such as solar panels, sustainable drainage and air or ground source heat pumps.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 30 October 2020.