Isra-Mart srl : Solar panel programme to provide boost for Birmingham's fuel poor

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Isra-Mart SRL news:

Birmingham City Council is set to kick off the largest solar panel installation programme in the UK by deploying photovoltaic (PV) technology on 10,000 council houses.

According to reports in the the Guardian, the council last week agreed to plans for a £100m project that would see PV panels installed on up 10,000 properties in some of the poorest parts of the the city.

The Birmingham Energy Savers programme will help the city deliver on the target contained in its Declaration on Climate Change, which sets out plans to retrofit 10 per cent of homes with renewable technology by 2015 and slash carbon dioxide emissions 60 per cent by 2026.

As well as saving energy and money for residents, the project is also expected to boost training opportunities, protect jobs and support the growth of green businesses in the city.

"Birmingham Energy Savers offers a fantastic opportunity for residents and businesses to cut carbon pollution, and save themselves thousands of pounds by reducing future bills," said Cllr Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council. "It will significantly improve the lives of people in Birmingham, setting a green standard beyond that of any city in the world."

The council said a typical family household would save hundreds of pounds a year on their fuel bills through the feed in tariff-enabled scheme.

According to the Guardian, commercial banks will provide half the up-front investment for the scheme, supplemented by £25m from the energy companies and £25m borrowed by the council.

Households taking part in the scheme will have to pay a levy on their energy bills to repay the initial loan, but any increase in energy bills will be more than offset by the savings provided from the solar energy they use.