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A solar scheme aiming to cut carbon emissions and energy bills has reached its 100th installation.
Winchester City Council, in partnership with Whiteley-based solar energy company UPOWA, has fitted solar panels and battery storage systems on 100 council homes as part of its project to reduce carbon emissions.
A further 179 installations are planned in the coming months.
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Councillors, council officers and contractors UPOWA met with resident Janet Cole to celebrate the 100th solar installation on her home in Alresford. (Image: Winchester City Council)
Each upgraded home is expected to generate an average of 2,850 kWh of electricity per year, covering about 80 per cent of tenants’ electricity needs and reducing carbon emissions by around 400kg annually.
Cllr Martin Tod, leader of Winchester City Council, said: “When energy costs are soaring, it’s great that we’re able to use solar panels and batteries to help council tenants cut their bills.
“It’s also been great that the council’s Energy Saving Homes team have been able to work with a local company – UPOWA – to make it happen.
“A hundred homes completed in eight months is a brilliant achievement – cutting carbon emissions and cutting bills at the same time.
“It’s a great model that reflects the urgency of the climate crisis, the challenges of the cost of living, and also the need for the council to invest its money effectively.”
Janet Cole from Alresford was the 100th tenant to receive the upgrade.
Janet Cole outside her home in Alresford. (Image: Winchester City Council)
She said: “We’ve been very lucky this year, we’ve had new windows as well and so the combination of the windows and the solar panels, especially with the way fuel prices are going up, it’s one less thing to worry about.
“It was just painless really – they were very polite and they explained to me exactly what was going on all the time.”
The project is part of a wider programme to improve the energy efficiency of council homes, including insulation and ventilation upgrades.
The programme prioritises properties most at risk of fuel poverty, with the goal of raising all council homes to a minimum EPC C rating.
Paul Terry, managing director at UPOWA, said: “Reaching 100 completed installations is a fantastic milestone and a reflection of the strong partnership between UPOWA and Winchester City Council.
“What’s most rewarding is seeing the impact these solar and battery systems are already having for residents, helping households make greater use of renewable energy while reducing reliance on electricity from the grid.”
After one year of operation, savings from the system will be split equally between tenants and the scheme’s maintenance costs.
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