Dundee could become one of the greenest cities in the UK thanks to solar power.
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.