One thousand social tenants to get solar panels

London's largest social housing solar installation scheme is set to get underway in Waltham Forest Council, helping to reduce the energy bills of one thousand tenants.

Solar PV installations will be completed by March and tenants will be able to use the green electricity generated from the panels, while the council will receive funding through the feed-in tariff.

"Not only will this improve the carbon footprint of the existing housing stock, but it will also deliver significant benefits to the residents involved," remarked David Barrett, head of retrofit at John Rowan & Partners, who will manage the scheme.

He explained that the council hopes to benefit from one year at the higher rate on the feed-in tariff, although this is yet to be determined until the Supreme Court brings down its decision on the matter.

Mr Barrett added that the major project will encourage other social housing providers to take on a similar scheme.

"I for one am convinced that going forward PV panels will be part of the solution for affordable housing to deliver their obligations under the Climate Change Act," he said.

The project will help ten per cent of the council's tenants to reduce their electricity bills and CO2 emissions will be reduced by 1,200 tonnes a year.

Posted by Mark Stephens

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