SEVERAL Glasgow landmarks have been earmarked for inclusion in a new solar panel scheme.
It is anticipated that the solar panel installations, which will be backed by £2 million in council funding, will generate energy which will be used within the buildings where the solar panels have been placed.
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A total of 15 schools, day care centres, leisure centres and other council facilities such as the Kelvin Hall, Emirates Arena and Royal Concert Hall, could save an estimated £750,000 in energy costs every year with the new scheme.
Councillor Angus Millar, city convener for climate, sees the spread of solar power across the council estate as essential to the effort to decarbonise the city’s energy system.
Councillor Millar said: "Heating and power are responsible for most of Glasgow’s carbon output and so tapping into renewable energy sources wherever we can is a vital part of our effort to tackle the causes of climate change.
"Increasing the number of our public buildings hosting solar panels gives us a win twice over. Not only does it help us move further away from a damaging reliance on fossil fuels to power our estate, but it will also give us access to cheaper, sustainable energy that will support our work to deliver quality public services.
"The potential savings from the use of solar power are significant and the cost of the investment in this scheme will be recovered in a short number of years. Buildings such as Kelvin Hall and the Emirates Arena have been lined up for early inclusion in this project, but we are looking at many other buildings across the city.
"Wherever it’s feasible, we will look to use solar energy in the city and help carry Glasgow closer to net zero."
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The installation will take place in two phases and will draw in match funding from Salix, the UK Government body that manages solar panel funding, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Scottish Funding Council.
Kelvin Hall, Dalmarnock Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Haghill Primary School, St Bernard’s Primary School, Glasgow Scientific Services, Mallaig Road Day Care Centre and Muirhead Day Care Centre are all in line for the first phase of work.
In the second phase Emirates Arena, Tollcross Leisure Centre, Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Gorbals Leisure Centre, Springburn Leisure Centre, Glasgow Museum Resource Centre and Royal Concert Hall are going forward to be developed as sites for solar power.
For more information on the scheme, click HERE
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