Work will start in the coming weeks to install solar electricity panels (capturing the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells) on the roofs of suitable Council owned homes, sheltered housing schemes and corporate buildings.
The project, being led by Colchester Borough Council, is the largest currently underway in the country.
Tenants across the borough whose home is potentially eligible for the solar electricity panels to be installed will receive a letter of introduction from Breyer to arrange a time to undertake a property assessment. Following this assessment, with the agreement of the tenant, the solar electricity panels will then be installed on suitable properties at a convenient date. Around 2,000 properties are likely to benefit and this work will continue until March 2012, with hundred of tenants making saving on their energy bills as a result and many more being offered a wealth of energy efficiency advice and information.
A pilot installation of the solar electricity panels is taking place in the week commencing 4 July. This will help ensure that the agreed tenant liaison, property assessment and panel installation processes are efficient and tenants receive excellent customer service and support before the project is rolled out borough wide.
The project is being delivered with Colchester Borough Homes who are managing the project, and the preferred supplier, Breyer Group with whom negotiations are underway.
Colchester Borough Council’s Resources Portfolio Holder Councillor Paul Smith said: “I am delighted that installation of solar electricity panels is now beginning, in consultation with tenants. Undertaking a pilot will benefit the project overall by helping get each stage right from the start. As well as helping eradicate fuel poverty and sharing energy saving advice, any inconvenience for tenants during the property assessment and panel installation stages will be minimised and help and advice will be available throughout the project”
Ms Beryl Hart Colchester Borough Homes housing tenant participating in the pilot installation said: “I’m pleased to be one of the first residents in Colchester to have solar electricity panels installed at home having known that the project has been planned for several months. With the information and support I’ve had so far I’m sure I’ll be able to cut my energy bill soon by making a few small changes to how I use my appliances at home. It’s great that many other residents will also benefit over the coming months.”
