Housing providers turn to solar for financial boost in face of Government cuts
Solarcentury helps Brent Housing Partnership open first green estate
As you may know, the Government has proposed a new “clean energy cash back” scheme which, when introduced, will guarantee a set price for every unit of green electricity generated for 25 years. If all housing association properties had a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, which can generate 2,100 units of electricity a year, they could earn an income of around £20 thousand per home over 25 years and pass on thousands of pounds of electricity savings to tenants - many of whom are suffering from fuel poverty.
Faced with a shortfall of £260 million due to the Government’s recent decision to cut social housing rent in 2010, housing providers are taking advantage of the financial benefits that investing in solar power brings. As well as a much needed income boost for the organisations, solar power helps low-income families cope with the financial hardship caused by rising fuel prices.
Brent Housing Partnership (BHP) is an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) working with Solarcentury, the UK’s leading solar energy company, to generate a guaranteed income from clean electricity. Solarcentury has begun to install solar electric roof tiles, designed to suit the majority of housing associations at a low cost, on over 80 existing homes on the Brentfield Estate in Brent. This will provide residents with approximately a third of the electricity they need for free – a saving of £120 every year.