21st September 2011

BRIDPORT: Is solar power the future for council properties?

SOLAR panels should be on all council owned buildings – was the finding of a recent survey from Friends of the Earth (FOE) West Dorset.

The survey revealed that 92 per cent of the public thought that solar panels should be fitted on all council owned roofs.

Both Dorset County Council and West Dorset District Council said they were already investing on solar power on their buildings.

A DCC spokesman said that plans were approved by cabinet members in May to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on between 20 and 30 of its school and other public buildings, plus a number of buildings in the County Farms estate.

They said: “While the council needs to borrow £1.5 million to fund the project, the guaranteed income will provide a net financial benefit of £1.5 million over 25 years – a 100 per cent return on the investment.

“The PV panels will also cut energy bills, support local “green” energy businesses and help the council reduce its level of carbon emissions.

“The panels should be in place on selected schools and public buildings by April 2012, with the option to extend the programme further in future years.”

WDDC Leader Robert Gould said the new council offices in Dorchester would be taking advantage of energy saving measures and would meet the “excellent” standard of BREEAM - an internationally recognised green assessment method.

“The district council is very aware of green issues and has produced a carbon management plan and a climate change plan,” he said.

“Features in the new offices include photovoltaic cells to generate solar electricity, a very high level of insulation and ‘mixed mode’ ventilation, using the cooling effect of the natural air temperature.

“Such measures will reduce the district council’s carbon dioxide emissions by 327,000 kg annually – the equivalent of planting almost 15,000 trees. They will also help cut more than £70,000 per year from our energy bills.”

The survey was completed by 140 members of the public who visited the FOE stand at this year’s Melplash show.

BRIDPORT: Is solar power the future for council properties?

Comments

Add new comment