Horsham District Council is delighted to be working with newly formed resident-led group Community Energy Horsham to install energy efficient photovoltaic (PV) panels on council- owned buildings.
The decision was taken to partner with Community Energy Horsham at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 29 September.
Community Energy Horsham comprises a group of Horsham District residents who have linked up with Energise South and Energy4All which have the technical and financial expertise to deliver locally generated, renewable energy solutions such as solar roof panels on commercial and community properties.
Under the Community Energy Horsham business model, finance is raised from local investors to pay for the purchase installation and maintenance costs of the solar panels (and other types of renewable technology). Investors typically get a 4% return on their investment.
No capital investment from the Council is required.
The Bridge Leisure Centre, at Broadbridge Heath, has been identified as an eligible property for the installation of solar panels under this scheme and it is proposed that it is used as a pilot for the partnership. If The Bridge project is successful, other suitable council- owned properties will be identified in the future.
Commenting on the scheme, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Affairs Cllr James Wright said:
I am delighted that we have entered into this partnership with Community Energy Horsham.
This approach has the potential to contribute significantly to the reduction of carbon emissions from council-owned buildings in line with our overall carbon footprint reduction targets. The Council will also help to promote this concept to other organisations and businesses across the District that have suitable roofs.
Increasing the take up of renewable technology is a cost-effective way of reducing carbon emissions and saving on electricity bills, and encouraging residents to invest in this process also increases general awareness of the advantages of installing renewable energy.
Alison Marshall from the core leadership team at Community Energy Horsham added:
Now more than ever is the time for rolling out solar power to as many roofs as possible.