Kier helps Stoke go green with new solar energy scheme

SUPPORT services group Kier is undertaking a large scale solar energy scheme for Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The company is installing almost 200 solar panels on the roof of the city’s civic offices as the local authority bids to go green and reduce its heating bills.

The installation, which is costing £134,500, is being funded through the council’s existing climate change budget. The panels have an anticipated lifespan of 25 years, and could pay for themselves in around 14 years at current electricity prices.

The panels will generate an estimated 30,000 kW/h of energy, saving £3,000 in electricity costs each year. The energy output is enough to power 150 computers for eight hours every working day.

In addition, the panels will attract an estimated £9,400 a year in government feed-in tariffs for generating zero carbon electricity. They will also reduce the council’s carbon dioxide emissions by 400 tonnes over their lifetime.

In 2009/10, the council spent £147,000 on electricity for the Civic Centre, a building which covers four floors, and has space for over 700 workers.

Cllr Terry Follows, cabinet member for environment, waste management and neighbourhood services, said: “These panels show the city council is prepared to lead by example in helping to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.”

The solar panel scheme is the latest in a number of green initiatives being adopted by the local authority.

Last September the council signed an agreement with E.ON to improve the energy efficiency of homes and use green power to reduce residents’ fuel bills.

The project has seen 54 council properties in Chell Heath area fitted with solar panels – the first time any of the council’s 19,000-strong housing stock has been powered by energy from the sun.

Following the trial, the scheme is being rolled out to more than 1,000 council properties across the city.

Kier Stoke’s regional managing director David Mawson said the company was committed to working with the council to provide sustainable energy solutions and would be training its workforce to ensure this was carried out.