Future is bright for Highland Council's solar carbon savings scheme
Highland Council says it is making significant carbon savings from the roll-out of solar panels on some of its buildings.
A programme of installation has seen solar photovoltaic (PV) panels placed at 33 sites across the region.
Described as an ambitious renewables project, the local authority estimates it has generated in total more than 2.3 megawatts of power already.
The investment is set to help drive the council towards its climate change targets, repaying the outlay at each site within 10 years.
Councillors welcomed the announcement after members of the council’s climate change working group were updated on progress and the proposed next steps.
Chairwoman of the group, councillor Trish Robertson, said: “The progress of the solar PV programme is delivering significant carbon savings for the council and some protection from future electricity price increases as we continue to work towards our climate and ecological targets.”
Priority has been given to the council’s highest electricity consuming corporate buildings such as schools and leisure facilities. Viable buildings that benefit from the addition of solar panels will see a reduction in electricity consumed from the national grid, reducing the council’s carbon footprint.
The solar PV programme should deliver carbon savings of 350,000kg CO2e per year, with financial savings to be reinvested in further energy efficiency projects. The project team is optimistic all sites will be operational by early 2021.
