12 October 2011
Eastbourne Borough Council has appointed property services company the Apollo Group to install solar panels on homes across the town as part of a pioneering renewable energy project.
The council was among the first local authorities to sign up for a government cashback scheme to install solar panels free of charge on council-owned properties.
The project, called Solarbourne, will help council tenants reduce their fuel bills and lower the town’s carbon footprint, to help the council meet its target of a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.
The council is also allowed to sell electricity to the national grid under the Feed In Tariff initiative and so a significant extra income will be generated that can be used by the Council, and recycled back into the community.
Apollo is well known in Eastbourne for its work to bring hundreds of council properties up to the Decent Homes standard.
Leader of the Council, Councillor David Tutt said: “Solarbourne highlights our commitment to delivering viable renewable energy schemes to Eastbourne and by working with Apollo, we aim to make the installation process as efficient and trouble-free as possible.
“We are delighted that so many tenants have signed up to have a solar panel on their home, but I would encourage those who have not registered to do so and start enjoying the very real savings solar panels can bring.”
From mid-October residents who have registered for the scheme will be contacted by Apollo’s consultant, Mouchel, who will arrange a survey of their property to check for suitability of solar panels on their roof.
Installations on suitable properties will then take place from November, with the majority being completed before February next year.
Paul Johnson, Group Commercial Director, commented: “We’re really pleased to be continuing our work with Eastbourne; particularly since this will be one of the first large-scale solar panel installations to take place in the South under our EcoFit banner.
“Apollo has been refurbishing homes for over 35 years and, being aware of the Government’s environmental agenda, we’ve been developing our EcoFit capability for over a year. Furthermore, with the introduction of the Green Deal in 2012 it is important that Apollo can be seen to be working with Clients with similar aims to prepare ourselves for this new and exciting opportunity.
“So we look forward to reinforcing the excellent relationship that has built up through the decent homes programme and deliver Eastbourne Council and its tenants the benefits of solar power.”
The council plans to install more than 1,300 solar panels in the town and has called on tenants to register for the scheme. For more information about Solarbourne click on the Solar link or call 01323 436407.
