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Groundbreaking solar panel scheme hits one million kilowatt hours milestone

Planning and Environment
13:36, Friday, 27th September 2024

More than one million kilowatt hours of clean energy has been generated by solar panels installed free on local schools and community buildings by North Lincolnshire Community Energy.

It is the equivalent of enough energy to power 370 typical households for a whole year.

In keeping with the council’s pledge to be net zero, it means 207 tonnes of CO2 have been saved so far – the same amount created by 83 average cars travelling 10,000 miles a year.

The figure will rise even more when new installations, including The Baths Hall and the Attis Arena, home to Scunthorpe United FC, are taken into account.

Twelve local schools, John Leggott College, North Lincolnshire Museum, Ashby Hub and Normanby Gateway have all had panels installed since the scheme was launched three years ago.

Cllr David Rose, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This successful scheme is going from strength to strength. Many local schools and buildings have now saved thousands of pounds in energy costs, money which can be put to good use elsewhere.

“We are also significantly cutting our CO2 emissions, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and staying true to our Green Future strategy.”

The work is being carried out through community benefit society North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE), which was set up with the help of a Towns Fund grant.

A 2023 share offer, giving local people a chance to have a stake in the company, last year raised £576,000 – helping fund the next stage of the project.

NLCE is committed to bringing local people and organisations together to tackle climate change and to reducing the use of non-renewable sources of energy.

A new share offer is planned within the next few weeks, which will enable the scheme to be rolled out to even more educational and community buildings in North Lincolnshire.

For more information on the scheme and the next share offer – which offers a minimum £50 stake and a return on investment – go to the NLCE website.