New Solar Arrays Will Slash Council Energy Bills

A new phase of solar panel installation is set to slash energy bills at several council-owned buildings.

Over 1700 solar panels are being installed as part of a scheme that includes arrays on two day care centres, five primary schools and the Kelvin Hall with the capacity to generate more than 700,000 kwh of electricity every year.

Capturing solar energy from the roof top arrays will power the buildings below and in places cover up to 96% of the electricity requirements of each building, saving more than £183,000 from running costs each year. It is anticipated that the solar panels, which have an expected life span in excess of 25 years, will have paid for themselves in around 6 to 7 years.

The council's use of photovoltaic (PV) panels has been growing in recent years with 33 arrays already in place, generating 600,000 kilowatt every year. This latest phase of installation across 8 buildings will include 1000 solar photovoltaic panels being attached to the Kelvin Hall, making it the largest roof top array in Glasgow and one of the biggest in Scotland.

Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate, backed the growth in the council's use of sustainable energy.

Councillor Millar said: "Solar power generation is a proven renewable energy that will dramatically cut our costs and reduce our carbon emissions.

"Vacant land is increasingly at a premium within Glasgow and so it makes sense to utilise the available space on roofs across our built estate. Installing solar on panels on buildings allows those buildings to benefit directly from the renewable energy that is produced and this helps us maximise the financial return of our investment.

"Increased electricity prices, Improved solar panel efficiency and a lower prices for panels have all helped to reduce the effective payback period on PV installations. This means solar installation now comes with a significant period of zero cost, net zero electricity.

"Where ever possible we will install solar panels on our estate and we are currently looking at multiple locations throughout the city where solar can be introduced. We will keep working to access the available funding to ensure we create the highest possible capacity for solar generation from the council estate."

A feasibility study for installations at 37 locations is currently underway. An initial assessment has indicated that solar arrays on all of these buildings could deliver almost 3.2 giga watt hours of electricity per annum.

The solar panels being installed on these eight buildings are receiving funding through a £522k Scotland Recycling Fund loan, with match funding from GlasgowCC. Funding for the Scotland Recycling Fund scheme is delivered by Salix on behalf of the Scottish Government. The total funding loan will be repaid using the savings generated via the reduction in electricity purchased from the national grid.

Zoe Hurst, programme coordinator at Salix, said: "We're delighted to support Glasgow City Council with this ambitious project. The solar scheme will not only help to reduce the council's energy bills but is being used as a way to educate the children and adults that use these facilities on the climate crisis and the benefits of solar."

The buildings included in this phase of installation are Castleton Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Dalmarnock Primary School, Haghill Primary School, St Bernard's Primary School, Mallaig Road Daycare, Muirhead Road Daycare and the Kelvin Hall,

Pic shows Cllr Angus Millar (centre) with staff from the installation contractor on the roof at Haghill Primary School.