Exeter Green Party is calling on Exeter City Council to investigate immediately the potential for renewable electricity generation from city council owned premises and land. This, the Greens say, would reduce costs by providing free electricity, generate an income to help prevent cuts to services and help move Exeter towards becoming a low carbon city.
The call from the Greens follows the recent announcement from Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne, that councils would now be able to sell renewable electricity to the National grid.
The Green Party estimates that for every 100m² of photovoltaic solar panels erected on council owned land over £89,000 in income over a 25 year period could be made from generating electricity. The electricity could be used by the council or exported to the grid With initial set up costs of just £60,000 for a 100m² system and cost savings from free energy, the Greens argue that such a system represents a good return on investment. The party also says that low interest loans would be available for setting up the schemes.
The Greens estimate that there is huge potential through positioning solar panels on roof tops as well as ground-mounted solar panels on local authority land. Examples of buildings and land that could be used to generate electricity include the Corn Exchange, Exeter Business Centre and the Livestock Centre at Matford.
Andrew Bell, the Green Party candidate in Alphington, said that Alphington ward alone could become a powerhouse for the city as it contains both Exeter Business Centre and the Livestock Centre at Matford, both owned by Exeter City Council.
He told the PRSD: “The Livestock Centre alone has a huge surface area on its roof for solar panels. But there is also lots of space that could be used for ground mounted panels. What a great opportunity for the city council to generate green electricity, fund essential services and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. This is just another example of a win-win solution being put forward by the Green Party.”
(from a press release)
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