Solar Powered Libraries to Save Conservative Council over £350k

Tamworth library

Tamworth’s library is one of 13 across Staffordshire to have solar panels fitted to save the Conservative controlled authority around £350,000 over the next ten years.

The scheme is on track to cut over £10,000 from the authority’s electricity bills each year, with a further £26,000 to be gained from the Government’s Feed in Tariffs.

The thirteen library buildings were fitted with solar PV (photo-voltaic) panels in July 2012 as part of the Council’s commitment to boost the use of renewable technology, make savings and reduce carbon emissions.

Staffordshire County Councillor, Mike Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Community, Culture and Localism said, “We are always looking at ways of developing our libraries whilst providing great value for money for our tax-paying residents.  We are also totally committed to embracing new technologies to improve the services to our customers.

“Solar panels are only one of many recent innovations in our libraries.  We have also installed a brand new computer library management system, self service kiosks and have now over 1,800 e-books available to borrow.”

The initiative has benefited from the Government’s Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) which was introduced to help kick start the market in small-scale renewable projects, by paying for each KWh of renewable energy generated from solar panels.

Staffordshire County Councillor, Gill Heath, Cabinet Support Member for the Environment and Rural Affairs added, “Solar power offers a huge win-win situation for both the Council and our local taxpayers alike.  The scheme allows us to not only cut our energy costs but also generate extra energy that we sell back to the national grid.

“Our use of solar panels on many Council buildings, combined with biomass heating and the hugely energy efficient Staffordshire Place, is really helping us lead the way in value for money and renewable innovation.”

The £330,000 investment in libraries is expected to be paid back in just over 9 years, and is helping to put Staffordshire at the forefront of renewable technology use.  After the panels have paid for themselves, the Council will continue to receive free electricity and the Government’s incentives for a further 15 years.