Article date:26 October 2010
Written by:Jose Espinosa
A scheme that encourages micro-generation and energy efficiency
technologies in homes in Islington, London, has reached a milestone
with the installation of solar systems at 100 homes in the
borough.
The Climate Change Fund programme, which is funded by Islington
Council and managed by carbon reduction company Sustain, offers a
grant to eligible householders for the installation of photovoltaic
systems and solar hot water systems.
Violet Allan, 96, from Holloway, is the 100th householder in the
borough to receive a solar thermal or photovoltaic (pv) system
through the scheme and her six solar pv panels should save more
than £400 a year on her electricity bills, which includes payments
under the Government's Feed in Tariff.
Violet has a relatively small system and householders with larger
systems can expect to save more than £600 a year.
The application deadline for the fund is on November 4 2010 and,
once all installations are complete, it is expected to have saved
around 1,345 tonnes of CO2 over the 25-year lifetime of the
systems. This is equivalent to driving a car 233 times around the
circumference of the earth.
The project has been managed by carbon reduction company Sustain,
which surveys the homes to see which technologies are most
appropriate and manages the installations from start to finish. It
was involved from the outset, advising Islington Council on the
design of the scheme.
Jim Wrigley, senior associate at Sustain, said: "Islington Council
is the only local authority running this sort of programme of this
scale and it's proving to be a huge success.
"It goes to show that the appetite for these technologies is
there; it's now about making sure the support and funding is in
place for interested homeowners.
"We recognise that this is going to be more challenging in the
light of spending cuts, but we urge the Government and local
authorities to support householders through schemes that reduce
their energy requirements.
"This will build the UK's resilience to future fuel price
increases, help combat climate change and help people out of fuel
poverty."
A huge range of solar systems have been funded through the Climate
Change Fund for buildings ranging from Homes for Islington estates
to schools and even a listed Victorian church.
Cllr Paul Smith, Islington Council's executive member for
environment, said: "We are determined to help residents in
Islington escape fuel poverty.
"This solar power system will cut bills as well as helping the
environment - it's win-win."
Sustain is working with Southern Solar, which designs, supplies
and installs the systems. Southern Solar also helps homeowners
register for the Feed in Tariff and offers an after sales advice
service.
