St Albans City & District Council has installed solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of its civic offices in St Peter’s Street as part of a range of measures that demonstrate it is leading the way on reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the community.
It is hoped that the move will encourage local businesses and residents to assess their own carbon footprints and to take steps to reduce them.
The 75 polycrystalline panels have been fitted by South Facing – Solar Electricity to the south elevation of the roof in order to maximise solar capture. They are expected to produce around 10,000 kWh of electricity per year which equates to a carbon dioxide abatement of some 5.52 tonnes per year.
In addition to carbon savings, the panels are expected to save the Council around £1,000 per year in fuel costs. The Council is also expected to receive an annual payment of around £1,000 through the government’s Renewable Obligation Certificates incentive scheme, which rewards microgeneration schemes with cash.
Information about the amount of electricity produced by the panels and carbon dioxide savings made will be displayed on a unit in the reception area of the civic offices which will be accessible to residents. This information will also be published annually on the Council’s website.
Councillor Mike Ellis, portfolio holder for Environment and Sustainability for St Albans City and District Council, said: “I am delighted that the solar panels are up and running at the Civic Centre. They demonstrate how these panels can be installed in a sensitive way, on a major building, within the conservation area. I hope that others will feel encouraged to follow suit both within and outside the conservation area to help reduce carbon emissions.”
The Council is committed to minimising the impact of its activities on the environment across all service areas and is introducing a range of measures to reduce energy use, transport emissions, consumption of resources and waste production. The Council’s Carbon Management Plan sets out a range of actions that it will implement to achieve its target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% of 2006 levels by 2013.
Further information about the Council’s Carbon Management Plan and the steps it is taking to reduce its carbon emissions is provided online at http://www.stalbans.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/energy/renewable-energy/
Businesses and local residents interested in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and installing solar panels can obtain further information from the Energy Saving Trust at http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/