Solar panels offer significant savings

Solar panels offer significant savings

Solar panels are to be installed on Surrey County Council buildings in a move that is set to save taxpayers £2 million.

The council will place solar panels on the roofs of up to 25 buildings it owns across Surrey.

Savings from smaller electricity bills and income from selling spare electricity to the National Grid that can be reinvested in services will total £2m over 25 years.

In addition, the move is expected to cut Surrey’s carbon emissions by almost 140 tonnes annually. A family car would have to travel round the world 22 times to produce that amount of carbon dioxide.

Buildings being considered include Chertsey Library, Camberley Fire Station, Dorking Fire Station, Oxted Library and the Surrey History Centre in Woking. A procurement process will be started so that the panels can be installed by next March.

Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Change and Efficiency Tim Hall said: “By investing in green energy and leading by example we can cut our carbon footprint by nearly 140 tonnes each year and ensure Surrey taxpayers benefit to the tune of nearly £2m.”

Cabinet Member for the Environment Dr Lynne Hack said: “Solar panels mean financial and energy savings, which are good for the pocket and the environment.”