Solar panels have been erected at Taunton pool capable of providing electricity for ten houses every day.
The one hundred and forty six UK made solar PV (photovoltaic) panels were ordered by Taunton Deane Borough Council that are currently providing 90kWh every day for the use of the pool- the average home uses around 9kWh daily. They come with a performance guarantee for 25 years and are capable of withstanding 112mph wind speeds and are almost invisible when viewing from street level.
The solar panels were installed by Earth Elements Ltd, from Barnstaple at a cost of about £70,000 having been funded by the Council’s budget set aside for climate change.
Taunton Deane Borough Council are to benefit from receiving the Government Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) subsidy in addition to which the council will also receive income emanating from the sale of electricity that has been generated at a reduced rate to Tone Leisure.
It is interesting to note that these two sources of income are expected to produce in the region of £10,000 each per annum over the 25-year period.
A great idea is to be the installation of an LCD visual display in the reception area at the pool that will inform visitors how the solar panels are performing. It will provide statistics about the total amount of energy that has been generated since the solar panels were commissioned, the immediate electricity generation and the total amount of CO2 that has been saved since commissioning. It is forecast that CO2 totalling 18 tonnes will be saved annually.
Cllr Ken Hayward who is the Climate Change Champion stated: “I’m delighted that this project has now been completed.
“Through it, not only does Tone Leisure benefit from reduced electricity costs, but Taunton Deane Borough Council, and, therefore, our rate payers, also benefits from a new revenue stream created from renewable energy.
“Taunton Deane Borough Council is also showing the ways for companies and individual households to embrace renewable energy.
“Everybody wins.
“If anyone is considering installing renewable energy at their premises, please feel free to contact Torsten Daniel at the council on 01823- 256592 for some friendly advice on the benefits and how to go about it.”
