Free solar panel scheme hits one million kilowatt-hour clean energy milestone

A groundbreaking solar panel scheme has reached an impressive clean energy milestone. The scheme generated one million kilowatt hours of energy, a remarkable feat in clean power ambitions.

The milestone was achieved by solar panels installed free on local schools and community buildings by U.K.’s North Lincolnshire Community Energy.

The energy generated is equivalent to power 370 typical households for a whole year.

Many local schools, buildings saved thousands of pounds in energy costs

In keeping with the council’s pledge to be net zero , it means 207 tonnes of CO2 have been saved so far – the same amount created by 83 average cars travelling 10,000 miles a year.

The figure will rise even more when new installations, including The Baths Hall and the Attis Arena, home to Scunthorpe United FC, are taken into account, according to North Lincolnshire Community Energy.

Twelve local schools, John Leggott College, North Lincolnshire Museum, Ashby Hub and Normanby Gateway have all had panels installed since the scheme was launched three years ago.

“This successful scheme is going from strength to strength. Many local schools and buildings have now saved thousands of pounds in energy costs, money which can be put to good use elsewhere,” said Cllr David Rose, Cabinet member for Environment.

“We are also significantly cutting our CO2 emissions, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and staying true to our Green Future strategy.”

NLCE committed to tackle climate change

The work is being carried out through community benefit society North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE), which was set up with the help of a Towns Fund grant.

A 2023 share offer, giving local people a chance to have a stake in the company, last year raised £576,000 – helping fund the next stage of the project, claimed NLCE.

NLCE claims that it’s committed to bringing local people and organisations together to tackle climate change and to reducing the use of non-renewable sources of energy.

A new share offer is planned within the next few weeks, which will enable the scheme to be rolled out to even more educational and community buildings in North Lincolnshire, said NLCE in a statement .

NCLE to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy

NCLE was established to break down the barriers and accelerate the uptake of renewable energy in U.K. region. Its aim is to drive the area forward in our challenge to be a net zero carbon emitting area by 2030. NCLE brings local people and organisations together to support tackling climate change.

By combining central government grants and community shares NCLE aims to install an extensive number of solar panels on to as many educational and community-based settings in Scunthorpe as possible.

“We are run by local people and are for the benefit of the community of North Lincolnshire and are the driving force for enabling a greener future,” maintains NCLE .