Residents across North Tyneside are reaping the benefits of a programme to install solar panels in homes.
As part of North Tyneside Council’s ambitious aim of being carbon net-zero by 2030, the authority has been improving the energy-efficiency of people’s homes, including enabling residents to generate their own renewable energy from solar panels.
Since April 2022, 288 homes across the Borough have benefitted from solar panel installations, and the scheme also sees energy-efficient measures such as air source heat pumps, insulation and smart heating controls.
And now, the Council has been successful in obtaining further funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to install solar panels in homes – and E.ON, the Council’s delivery partner, is getting out and knocking on doors of eligible households.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing, said: “We know the impact the rising cost of living is having on people across the country, so anything we can do to help ease the burden is always going to be a priority.
“As well as the money being saved, upgrading our housing stock can really improve living conditions by making homes warmer and more comfortable. It’s a real win-win for our residents.”
Solar panels allow homes to generate their own renewable energy, and on average a household will save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills.
Cllr Sandra Graham, Cabinet Member for the Climate Emergency said: “We’ve made a commitment as a Council to work towards being carbon net-zero by 2030, and we need everyone’s buy-in to make this a reality.
“I’m delighted to see us using this funding to support our residents and help them save money on their energy bills, while also reducing our Borough’s carbon footprint.”
The Council’s Solar PV installations come as part of the roof replacement programmes or previous grant fund schemes, including the Government’s Green Homes Grant.
Other energy-saving measures in homes include 1,320 central heating boiler replacements, over 450 loft insulation top-ups, 298 homes had wall insulation replaced and there were 236 installations of low-energy lighting as part of kitchen and bathroom replacements.
These measures have equalled 362 tonnes of carbon being saved. In total, North Tyneside Council saved nearly 1,500 tonnes of carbon in 2022/23.
