Wrexham - 3,000 council homes will be powered by solar

Spotted in the Daily Post was this story about the go-ahead of a plan by Wrexham council to install £60m of solar panels in 3,000 council homes.

The installations will cut individual homes energy bills by around £300 a year.

With a carbon footprint reduction of 3,000 tonnes of CO2 a year, it makes this scheme one of the biggest of its kind in Wales and the UK, reports Steve Bagnall.

The panels will be supplied by a local manufacturer, with the whole installation scheme set for completion by March 2012.

Wrexham Council is borrowing the money for the installation, but tariff payments from the Government is expected to see the council make a healthy return on the investment.

The scheme will also directly tackle fuel-poverty in the area.

As we've seen, following the latest energy price rises by all 6 major energy companies, fuel-poverty is estimated to affect over a quarter of the UK population.

photo credit: hannah and simon

Wrexham Council solar scheme plan backed

The BBC reported that a plan by Wrexham Council to install photovoltaic solar panels to 3000 properties at a cost of £25 million has been agreed (in principle).

The scheme would benefit the council and tenant's alike - the tenant's would see reductions of up to 40% in their energy bills, whilst the council would earn an estimated £25.7m net income over 25years from the Governments feed-in tariffs.

The council hopes the scheme would raise a £1million a year in income.

Just as impressive is the figure that each property involved in the installation scheme would save around 1 tonne in CO2 emissions each year.

A separate plan to install solar panels on 13 buildings including schools and leisure facilities will cost £3.4million.

Good news for the people of Wrexham, who'll be awaiting a date in February (2011) when the council must present its business plan.

photo credit: gareth wright