Council to borrow more than £1m for solar panels

2 hours ago

Guy HendersonLocal Democracy Reporting Service

PA Media A number of solar panels in a field. There is a number of blue panels with a silver pattern.

More than £1m is to be borrowed to fit six buildings with solar panels, a city council has said.

Exeter City Council estimated the initiative would save it about £100,000 every year and cut emissions.

Members of the full council voted in favour of installing solar panels at six sites including Exeter Arena sports centre, St Sidwell’s Point leisure centre, Wonford Leisure Centre, the Guildhall car park, Exeter bus station and the Senate offices, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

A report from officers said the business case was “robust” and provided long-term savings for at least 25 years.

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Councillor Matthew Vizard said: “It’s fantastic that this council continues to show leadership in its work to decarbonise our buildings through our solar PV arrays, and I’m delighted that we are now in a position to move forward with the next phase.

“Not only is this environmentally smart, it also makes good sense business-wise.”

Some councillors questioned whether the authority was getting the best value for money and whether it could afford to take on the loans.

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