South Yorkshire Housing Association to equip 400 properties with solar electric systems from Solarcentury
South Yorkshire HA's Rotherham homes, the UK's first new build solar street.
South Yorkshire Housing Association (SYHA) is to fit solar electric systems on up to 400 of its social housing properties in the North of England. Working with Solarcentury, the housing association is continuing its strong track record of commitment to solar power to provide cost savings for its tenants and a revenue stream for the organisation. With the introduction of the Feed-in tariff for solar electricity, where energy companies pay producers for the generation of clean electricity, SYHA believes now is a better time than ever to invest in solar electricity.
SYHA tenants collectively should see over £ 26,000 in bill savings next year thanks to the Housing Associations investment in solar electric homes and SYHA can use the additional Feed-in tariff revenue to reinvest in more housing and services for its tenants. Income from the Feed-in tariff means SYHA will be creating two new posts, a Liaison Officer and Energy Advisor to help tenants make the right energy choices at home. The organisation believes grid electricity prices will continue to rise each year, so whilst it generates guaranteed revenue for reinvestment, the not-for-profit organisation is also protecting its tenants from such price rises. Their existing solar developments can be found across the south and west Yorkshire region, with the HA encouraging its existing contractors to learn new skills in the installation of renewables and energy efficiency measures.
Craig Jackson, SYHA says: “Solar power is a fantastic way to upgrade our existing building stock, as we’re effectively being paid to do it with the Feed-in tariff and it’s helping to significantly reduce energy costs for our tenants. I urge housing associations to look at the long term investment prospects of this clean technology, the reasons go beyond the environmental and social – they’re now economic. The technology’s very versatile too, we’ll be fitting solar electric roof tiles and Sunstations to many of our properties.”
Derry Newman, CEO, Solarcentury says: “Over the past year, Solarcentury has been working with over 50 housing associations on over 200 affordable housing projects, helping thousands of homes across the UK go solar. We’re definitely seeing a shift towards fitting solar for tenants in older housing rather than just new buildings, primarily because the Feed-in tariff rates are very good for retrofitting properties. Solarcentury’s been working with solar for over ten years, so we know what it takes to do it right, ensure it is reliable and how to make it easy. We have products and solutions designed specifically for the UK market, housing associations use our products because they are reliable and worry free for the tenants, they meet or exceed all the relevant codes and we know what it takes to deliver a successful solar project across the UK.”
With the new Feed-in tariff, retrofitting an average home in the UK can earn property owners around £900 a year with its rate of 41.3p for every unit generated, with 3p on top for each unit exported1. The rate for new build properties is 36.5p for generated electricity. This is a guaranteed index-linked income for 25 years, with only the best rates available to those who go solar within the next two years.
Solarcentury is exhibiting at The Chartered Institute of Housing Exhibition at the Harrogate International Centre, 22nd- 24th June, Hall B Stand 75.