Council seeking partner for solar power revolution in Dundee
Dundee could become one of the greenest cities in the UK thanks to solar power.
Solar panels were fitted to council homes in Balgowan Avenue in Kirkton in 2008. They could become a much more common sight under the new plan.
- By Grant Smith
- Published in the Courier : 23.08.11
- Published online : 23.08.11 @ 05.50pm
Councillors have approved a plan that could see electricity-generating solar panels placed on its buildings — which potentially includes thousands of homes.
The council will seek a commercial partner to install and maintain the equipment over its 25-year lifespan.
City development director Mike Galloway said this would avoid "the very high risk" of the council going it alone, while ensuring lower electricity bills. Widespread solar power would also help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
At the moment it is impossible to say how many council properties may end up with photovoltaic (PV) panels, although those with south-facing roofs will be considered as they capture most sunlight.
Laws that came into force a few years ago have made the development possible. The government has introduced incentives which reward the on-site generation of energy.
In the case of solar panels there are benefits from the generation tariff — which is 43.3p per kilowatt hour — free use of any electricity generated in the building fitted with a panel, and an export tariff for excess power transferred to the national grid.
Mr Galloway said: "Several commercial organisations have approached the council offering to install PV panels on our buildings at no cost of the council. The companies themselves would keep the generation and export tariffs to secure a return on their investment.
"The council would benefit by saving on its annual electricity bill."
The government is reviewing the generation tariff and Mr Galloway said the council must move quickly to take advantage of the financial support. It will issue a tender for the scheme and it will then be up to its commercial partner to carry out surveys and install the equipment.
Mr Galloway said: "The council or its tenants will utilise the electricity generated by the PV systems as a supplementary source of electricity.
"The other main motives are the benefits to the community from the employment and economic activity which the work will generate within the city, the contribution to the council's target for the reduction in carbon emissions and to help address fuel poverty issues."
It could cost around £7000 to install a solar panel and annual maintenance is about £55. These costs would fall on the company, not the council.
In principle, all the council's buildings are available to be considered for a solar panel.
Labour group leader Kevin Keenan questioned what would happen in the case of a council house which had a panel installed and was then sold. He was told that the ownership of the panel would remain with the company.
Efforts to promote solar energy in Dundee include the Sun City house in Whitfield. Among its energy efficiency technologies is a PV system to produce household electricity.
Several companies have also been selling solar panels to owner-occupiers.
10.30pm - 23.08.2011 Ken Hood - Nottingham, Notts Report This
Kevin Keenan was not given a very accurate answer as the council of mortgage lenders have announced they will not give mortgages to homes which had leased their roofs for solar pv. Only cash buyers need apply!
10.40pm - 23.08.2011 Ken Hood - Nottingham, Notts Report This
DCC should consider the potential risk to fire fighters, many brigades will not allow their people to tackle a fire in daylight if solar pv is fitted. The panels remain live and can not be isolated, thus the high DC voltage can be leathel. There is only one system on the market that faces this issue
10.42pm - 23.08.2011 Dean B - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
We would love to have solar panels, but it's too expensive. Maybe if we touted our house as that belonging to an American billionaire Mr Salmond would flood us with freebies and a'body's a winner?
09.01am - 24.08.2011 Basic Research - DUNDEE, Scotland Report This
£7000 to install A single panel? £55 a year maintenance? What are they smoking? Had 16 done, maintenance free for £12000. And the comment about fire-fighters is scaremongering. How many firefighters isolate the AC mains before spraying water?
10.18am - 24.08.2011 Caveat Emptor - Dundee, Scotland Report This
There is an old maxim which states that if something seems too good to be true then it usually is. Given the Councils pathetic record on value for money i.e. the demolition of swathes of multis and schemes less than 40 years old, why should we listen to anything they consider a good idea?
07.21pm - 24.08.2011 Ken Hood - Nottingham, Notts Report This
Basic research should do just that, high DC voltage is far more leathal than AC, your 16 panels will produce around 600v DC. DC voltage is prone to leaping, in particular when the air is damp. I could not care less if you don't beleive me. I just hope you never have to find out the hard way.
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