Council goes solar

Solar panels on the roof of North Harringay School

Haringey Council is embarking on a £15million solar panel programme which they claim "could double London’s current solar power capacity".

The council has agreed to install thousands of solar panels on council buildings, schools and social housing in the borough.

The Council say that the project will help to tackle inequality and support the local economy by generating low-cost energy, helping people out of fuel poverty, and creating work opportunities – whilst also helping the council to fulfil its commitment to carbon reduction.

The programme will see the council invest up to £8.5million in photovoltaic (PV) panels for council buildings while some rooftops, such as those on social housing, will be rented to third-party providers.

The council’s repayment costs will be entirely met from the profit from the feed-in tariff, and the project will also deliver savings on energy costs.

The project will potentially see:

• Up to £8.5million from prudential borrowing invested by the council in buying and installing solar panels
• A further investment of up to £7.5million in PV panels from organisations renting roofs
• Repayment costs covered by profit from feed-in tariffs and reduced energy costs
• Solar panels installed on council estate buildings – such as office blocks and libraries – and, in consultation with residents, to some council-owned housing managed by Homes for Haringey
• Employment and possible apprenticeship opportunities for local people through installation and maintenance of the equipment
• Schools across the borough fitted with panels which will help power classrooms and reduce their energy costs
• Feed in Tariff and roof rental profits invested in further energy saving measures and frontline services
• A surplus each year above the cost of borrowing to invest in council services
• Energy bill savings