£821,000 solar energy system to earn money for council

Cllr Russ Bowden

TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve the installation of a £821,000 solar photovoltaic array on the roof of a building on the Omega development site.
The installation would generate revenue for the borough council, to be used to support essential services, reduce CO2 emissions equivalent over 20 years to the average annual emissions of more than 1,000 Warrington residents, provide a substantial energy supply independent of the national electrical network  and provide environmental and economic benefits through the use of zero carbon energy.
A distribution centre owned and operated by the Plastic Omnium Group is the building selected for the project.
Omega is regarded as an ideal location for the installation of solar photovoltaics, with large roofed building not over-shadowed by surrounding buildings or trees.
In addition, the electrical network in the area is newly installed and very robust. The building itself was designed so that solar panels could be installed on its roof.
A report to be presented to the council’s executive board by Cllr Russ Bowden, lead member for corporate finance, indicates a minimum return to the council of £7,622 in the first year and £642,860 over the 20 years of the project.
After 20 years, the solar panels would still be producing electricity at 80 per cent of their original rating so will remain a valuable asset.
Plastic Omnium are keen to take part in the project and it is anticipated the installation can be commissioned and in use by June or July.
Because of the height of the building, the panels will not be visible from neighbouring buildings nor by nearby residents.