The first of 2,000 solar panels are being fitted to council houses as part of a £9.2m scheme to cut household bills.
And it’s not costing Kirklees Council taxpayers a penny.
Kirklees has started installing solar panels on 36 houses in the Knowl Grove area of Mirfield.
A further 73 in the Wellhouse Avenue and Greenside estate area of Mirfield, along with 38 in Denby Dale and 40 in Scholes, Holmfirth, will also get them.
The first solar panels are already performing better than predicted at 109%.
If that continues Kirklees can expect the solar panels to have paid for themselves in around 10 years – sooner than estimated – and they will generate a £14m return.
At the same time, tenants with solar panels will benefit immediately with cheaper household bills, saving up to £200 a year.
Clr Cathy Scott, cabinet member for housing said it was good news and a win-win for the council and residents, adding: “This initiative will make a real difference to households at risk of fuel poverty.
“We will be targeting properties with the poorest efficiency first to make sure those in the greatest need get the support they need.
“Not only will we help households save hundreds of pounds on their bills, essential during this cost of living crisis, but the council will see a return on its investment.”
Clr Andrew Cooper, Green party leader, added: “The reality is the systems are working almost 10% better than the conservative estimate.
“For the tenants they are getting cheaper electricity and the saving is equivalent of one or two weeks rent a year. For the council it is being funded from the housing revenue account so isn’t costing the taxpayer anything, plus we get the feed in tariffs.”
Properties that have poor thermal efficiency are among the first to receive solar panels.
The panels offer an annual carbon saving of 2,000 tonnes and provide a return of almost 7% on the investment by council, as surplus energy will be fed back into the National Grid.
It is estimated this will result in £14m income for the council over the next 20 years.
Kirklees Building Services are doing the work using local contractors to suppliers.
And they’re looking to the future – at the budget meeting last week the council agreed to explore how KBS can support the private housing sector with energy-efficient measures, with any profit going back into council funds.
They are also exploring solar panels and energy-efficient ideas for non-residential buildings.
