10 June 2009 Famous meteorologist Michael Fish jumped into a warm bubble bath to launch East Sussex Energy Partnership’s solar energy campaign to give away free and heavily discounted solar panels for heating water.
As Michael, who has maintained links with the SunshineCoast after going to school at EastbourneCollege, soaked in a tub in the Sunrise Suite at The Waterside Hotel in Eastbourne, he said: “This area of the south coast has high levels of sunshine hours every year. East Sussex Energy Partnership is enabling residents who might not otherwise be able to afford solar water heating panels to cash in on this sunny advantage. I say soak it up!”
ESEP is made up of four councils – Eastbourne Borough Council, Hastings Borough Council, Rother District Council and Wealden District Council. These councils have united to deliver Government-funded grants to homes in East Sussex. By installing home renewable energy systems, such as solar power, for free or at a heavily discounted rate, they are helping people fight fuel poverty and increase energy efficiency. Using the sun to heat water can help households save up to £95 a year on fuel bills.
Eastbourne Borough Council Leader, Councillor David Tutt, said: “Fuel poverty and energy efficiency are high priorities we can address with this campaign. A free phone call can put residents from across the area on track for free or significantly discounted solar panels for heating their household water.”
Hastings Borough Council Leader, Councillor Peter Pragnell, said: “If we can reduce fuel poverty and energy consumption with something as everyday as heating our household water, as many people as possible should take part. East Sussex Energy Partnership is making these solar energy systems available to people who might otherwise never have bought them.”
Wealden District Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Affordable Housing, Councillor Dick Angel, said: "The sun radiates a huge amount of energy. If all this could be tapped, the amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth every half hour would be enough to meet worldwide energy consumption requirements for an entire year. I urge you to find out if you qualify for this free/heavily discounted initiative. There is nothing to lose!"
Rother District Council Leader, Councillor Carl Maynard, said: “Financial forecasts are still poor but we are told to expect good weather this summer. It’s an ideal time for residents of Rother, Eastbourne, Hastings and Wealden to find out now, for free, if they can receive free or significantly discounted solar panels to save them money on water heating bills.”
Freephone 0800 980 0901 to find out more or go to the East Sussex Energy Partnership website.
