York has been picked as the latest location to join the nationwide push to have solar panels installed in homes, which will provide both a greener and cheaper source of energy. The Coalition are backing the use of solar panels to provide a vital element in the fight against increasing fuel bills as thousands of households are staring at fuel poverty.
As many as 3000 council owned homes which are covered by landlord insurance could be kitted out with the solar panels in a scheme which is being aimed at the poorest sections of the area. The DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) have revealed that almost 29000 solar panel installations have been installed throughout the United Kingdom during the first year of the scheme. All energy companies are one by one announcing prise rises of nearly 20% and latest figures show that the number of households in fuel poverty has increased by one million and has now surpassed the five million mark.
York Council’s Tracey Simpson-Laing said: “This project will be key to alleviating the financial burden on households who are already struggling during the economic slump. The issue of rising fuel bills is a concern for everyone, but especially for people who are in the poorest sections of society. A lot of elderly people and families with young children live in the council’s properties, and these are two groups who are often affected by fuel poverty. The scheme will provide a welcome relief with a cheaper means of getting electricity while also helping protect the environment.”
Tenants will be able to choose if they want to have the solar panels fitted. The work will take two days to install and they will not have to move out of their homes while the work is completed. The council have carried out research to find out which properties are eligible, identifying properties that have a correctly angled roof and are facing in the right position to get the maximum benefits.