Solar pilot scheme to light homes
Council houses in Stirling are now benefiting from the first pilot scheme to generate ‘green’ electricity in council houses and buildings from solar power.
Stirling Council agreed last year that a variety of council owned buildings including schools, offices, houses, a community centre and library would benefit from the solar pilot schemes to test and monitor their effectiveness including energy savings and potential income generated from Feed-in and Export Tariffs before any large-scale adoption of renewable energy technologies.
Under the first pilot scheme sixteen council flats on Middlemuir Road, Stirling have now had 131 solar panels installed by FES Renewables Ltd aided by Stirling Council electricians. Each flat has 8 or 9 panels feeding that flat.
Housing Portfolio Holder Councillor Alasdair MacPherson on inspecting the new solar panels on the Middlemuir council houses said: “This is a momentous day for Stirling Council and Housing Services. By introducing renewable technologies in council homes we can help tackle fuel poverty by reducing energy costs while contributing to national targets for renewable energy generation and carbon reduction. The renewable technology pilots are complimenting the existing roll out programme upgrading heating systems to high energy efficient boilers that are also addressing fuel poverty by reducing energy costs to our tenants.”
Councillor MacPherson added: “We’re also delighted that our electricians are involved in this development and hope that the future installations will create jobs and retraining opportunities. "
Money generated from the Feed-in tariffs for housing stock pilots will be reinvested in the council housing. The pilot schemes will be monitored over a six to nine month period.
Picture Shows: Council's First Solar Power Scheme is completed - Councillor Alasdair MacPherson (standing, right) is joined by the Council's Head of Housing Tony Cain and Robert Wood Director of FES Renewables Ltd (seated) to mark the completion of the Council's first solar power pilot project on the roof of the Middlemuir Road council houses in Stirling.
Group Photo: Council Alasdair MacPherson (back row, right) with the Council's Head of Housing Tony Cain (second right) and Robert Wood Director of FES Renewables Ltd (2nd, left) joined by Stirling Council Electricians Craig Lapworth (left) and Gary Fraser (centre) and FES Electricians Alexander Stein and Scott Christie mark the completion of the 131 solar panels being installed at Middlemuir Road council houses in Stirling
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