Solar panels set for Swale House
Published
Wednesday 8 January, 2025
Updated
Wednesday 8 January, 2025
Swale Borough Council is taking steps to reduce both its energy costs and carbon footprint after councillors agreed to invest in the installation of solar panels on Swale House.
The council’s Policy and Resources Committee unanimously approved the plans to install around 292 solar panels on the roof of the building at a meeting last week.
Once complete, the panels are expected to generate enough electricity to provide half of the building's annual power needs.
During peak sunlight hours, the surplus energy produced will be sold back to the grid, further reducing the council's costs and carbon emissions.
The addition of the solar panels follows previous work to improve the energy efficiency of Swale House by installing insulation and replacing aging windows.
As part of its ongoing efforts to tackle climate change, the council is looking at the potential of installing solar panels on other council-owned assets.
Cllr Rich Lehmann, chair of the council’s Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
“The work to improve the energy efficiency of our offices from aC to a B rating, by replacing windows, adding insulation and other energy saving measures, has already helped reduce our costs.
“Installing these solar panels is the next phase and will cut our costs significantly in the long run, whilst helping to reduce our carbon footprint.
“We will now need to go out to tender for the project, but I am looking forward to taking this important next step towards our climate emergency goals.”
Cllr Dolley Wooster, vice chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said:
"Swale House has been an expensive building to operate, but we’ve spent time and effort to make sure it’s becoming more efficient and environmentally friendly.
“This project is an excellent way to help save us money in the long run, whilst reducing our carbon emissions and allowing us to work in an environmentally friendly way.”
The council will now work to find a contractor to carry out the works.
