Low Carbon: Social housing landlord introduces solar power

By James Shepherd on Apr 29, 09 12:27 PM in News

SOUTH Cheshire's biggest social housing landlord Wulvern has come up with an answer to spiralling fuel costs and the threat of global warming - solar power.

In its first renewable energy scheme, the tenants of four bungalows in Main Road at Wybunbury, who are not connected to the mains gas supply, are now enjoying the benefits of solar-powered hot water and central heating.

The system, which includes an air-source heat pump, will mean real savings in their electric bills. It has replaced their costly storage heaters with new streamline radiators.

One of the tenants, Fred Salmon, said "Since having the solar panels installed, I have plenty of hot water on tap. I'm even looking forward to receiving my electricity bill!"

Solar energy produces power from daylight. The panels are mounted on the south-facing slope of the roof to obtain maximum energy from the sun.

It is also hoped the panels will considerably reduce CO2 emissions each year and produce half of the residents' electricity demands.

Wulvern's programme manager Mike Forbes said: "As fuel prices continue to rise and climate change becomes a reality, it is important we all do our bit to reduce our energy demand and use renewable energy.

"Although it's early days in assessing the success of this renewable energy installation, it's great to be able to help make a difference to the lives of our customers and at the same time reducing CO2 emissions."

Wulvern, which manages more than 5,000 homes, worked with local renewable energy contractor Phoenix Gas Services to deliver this ground-breaking scheme and hope to develop the project, subject to government funding, in order that other tenants will benefit.