Islington recieves 100th rooftop solar installation

Islington recieves 100th rooftop solar installation

The Climate Change Fund programme has now installed its 100^th solar photovoltaic system in Islington, London. The scheme, aimed at encouraging microgeneration and energy efficiency in homes in the area, is working towards cutting borough-wide CO₂ emissions by 15% by the end of 2011.

Funded by Islington Council and managed by carbon reduction company Sustain, the programme offers a grant to eligible householders for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar hot water systems.

Marking the 100^th installation of this kind, Violet Allan, 96, from Holloway, will receive six solar panels which are expected to save more than £400 a year on her electricity bills through the Government’s feed-in tariff (FiT) and by utilising the renewable energy produced by her system instead of paying for it. 

Residents of the area can apply for the scheme; however the deadline of November 4 is fast approaching. Once all of the planned installations are complete the scheme is expected to have saved around 1,345 tonnes of CO₂ over the 25-year lifetime of the systems. This is equivalent to driving a car 233 times around the circumference of the earth.

Jim Wrigley, senior associate at Sustain, which is managing the systems said, “Islington Council is the only local authority running this sort of programme of this scale and it’s proving to be a huge success.

“It goes to show that the appetite for these technologies is there; it’s now about making sure the support and funding is in place for interested homeowners.

“We recognise that this is going to be more challenging in the light of spending cuts, but we urge the Government and local authorities to support householders through schemes that reduce their energy requirements.

“This will build the UK’s resilience to future fuel price increases, help combat climate change and help people out of fuel poverty.”

A huge range of solar systems have been funded through the Climate Change Fund for buildings ranging from Homes for Islington estates to schools and even a listed Victorian church.

Councillor Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for environment said, "We are determined to help residents in Islington escape fuel poverty.

"This solar power system will cut bills as well as helping the environment - its win-win.”

Sustain is working with Southern Solar, which designs, supplies and installs the systems. Southern Solar is an MCS accredited company which also helps customers apply for the UK’s feed-in tariff.

http://actonsolarpower.com/news_details.php?id=22