Wrexham makes solar social

Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) has pledged to cut its carbon emissions by 50% by 2016, against a 2011 baseline, by installing solar panels on its social housing stock.


The project forms part the council’s wider environmental strategy, which has seen it rise up the ranks to become the top authority in Wales for reducing carbon emissions.

It now aims to continue this trend by fitting 30,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on 3,000 of its social housing units. It is anticipated the panels, which are being provided by solar manufacturer Sharp Solar, will save up to 3,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.

WCBC cllr Ron Davies, said: “Social housing is one of the largest contributors to Wrexham’s carbon footprint. We’re working closely with tenants to explain why PVs are important for the borough and the benefits of the scheme.”

Chief executive of social housing organisation Forrest, which secured the contract in September last year, Lee McCarren, said: “Projects like this show how housing providers can reduce their impact on the environment.”

Carys Matthews

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