Plans for Warwick district’s solar panels scaled back

[dutchman]

Only 170 solar panels will be fitted to homes rented from Warwick District Council houses in the next three months - instead of the 511 originally planned.



The panels will reduce carbon emissions and save on fuel bills for the lucky few.

The programme was cut back after the Government controversially changed the level of the support tariff available.

And even though last week the Court of Appeal blocked the bid to reduce the subsidies, the situation is unlikely to change in the current financial year. The Government has appealed and the case is now set to go before the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile council houses in the Crown and Brunswick wards, as well as Warwick West, have to be identified before the end of March so that the photovoltaic panels can be fitted within the council’s own financial year.

It was last October that the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) declared electricity generated from panels ordered or installed after December 12, would only qualify for the reduced tariff.

Some executive council members did warn that the installations needed to be swift as changes were expected.

But by the end of the year most homes had still not been identified although Cllr Norman Vincett, portfolio holder for housing and property, said the council would push ahead with a smaller programme.

Without commenting on the reduced number of panels to be fitted, he said: “This programme enables the district council to demonstrate effective community leadership in reducing the impact on the environment from non-renewable energy sources, as well as assisting tenants by contributing to the reduction of fuel poverty.”

Originally the sum of £3.3 million had been set aside from housing investment plus £375,000 of other capital found to pay for the installations.

• IN a separate issue the district council has won national funding of £118,000 to install “biomass” wood-fuelled heating systems to the homes of 25 rural tenants.

[dutchman]

The panels will reduce carbon emissions

Complete rubbish!

A huge amount of carbon is emitted when the solar panels are manufactured, delivered and installed. More is emitted when the panels are eventually disposed of at the end of their useful working life. In addition, the average sized British roof covered in solar panels generates only enough energy to power a medium sized light bulb and then only in strong daylight when it's least needed. A single dormer window would be far more energy efficient.

There is no hi-tec way of reducing carbon emissions. The only true way is to use less energy in the first place but that is an unpalatable truth for trendy middle-class eco-warriors who've become used to a comfortable high carbon emission lifestyle.

[rebbonk]

... is an unpalatable truth for trendy middle-class eco-warriors who've become used to a comfortable high carbon emission lifestyle.

If we can see it.....

What is it they say, 'repeat a lie often enough and people will believe it?'