Housing Executive tenants are beginning to reap the benefits of having solar panels installed as part of the largest domestic renewable solar PV installation in Northern Ireland.
The value of the initiative at 1,000 of its tenants' homes was recently recognised by the flagship awards for the renewables industry in Northern Ireland.
The HE scooped the 'Most Successful Renewable Electricity Installation' at Action Renewables Awards.
In the North West 200 homes, which were identified as having aspects and roofs suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, have already been fitted.
The £5m project is being privately financed by Saliis Ltd, is based on the ‘rent a roof’ model and is at no cost to us.
The scheme is proving highly successful showing opportunities for substantial energy saving as well as delivering direct cost savings for tenants.
It is one of a number of ground-breaking projects the HE, as Northern Ireland's Home Energy Conservation Authority, is using to help combat fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.
Lettershandoney tenant, Anne-Marie O’Neill (pictured), had panels installed on her home’s roof in March.
She said: “The guys were great and really tidy. I’m looking forward to seeing the benefits over the summer.”
During a recent visited to Derry to see the work which has been taking place, Clark Bailie, HE’s chief executive, said nearly all of the 1,000 homes chosen to have the panels installed had been fitted and the feedback to date from tenants had been positive.
He added: “I am delighted our Energy Conservation Team picked up the award from Action Renewables and with the progress of this scheme.”
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