A project that installed solar panels on our main office has resulted in significantly reduced carbon emissions.
Over the past 12 months the panels have produced enough electricity to offset our carbon emissions by over 10 tonnes and reduce our electricity bill by £4,500.
The panels, installed in July 2015 on the roof of South Lakeland House, cost £60,000 but are predicted to pay for themselves during their 20 year lifespan.
We also received £4,500 through the government's Feed-in Tariff scheme which is designed to encourage the use of renewable and low carbon electricity.
It's estimated that over the 20 year product life of the panels, the council will save around £120,000 and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 300 tonnes.
Our Leader, Councillor Giles Archibald, said: 'This initiative has been a great success.
'We as a council are committed to green energy and with this scheme reducing our energy bills, and set to make significant savings in the future, it is even more impressive.'
The project considered all council-owned buildings for panel installation, but only the roof of South Lakeland House was large enough to accommodate a 50W solar panel.
South Lakeland District Council published this content on 13 January 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 January 2017 11:25:12 UTC.
Original documenthttp://www.southlakeland.gov.uk/newsroom/solar-panel-scheme-produces-major-carbon-savings/
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