SOLAR power experts took to the roof of a Middlesbrough building to cement a housing group’s commitment to going green.

Fabrick  Housing Group can look forward to lower electricity bills and CO2 emissions after it had solar photovoltaic (PV) panels fitted to the roof of its Rivers House office.

The 9kWp system will provide a range of benefits for the site; the headquarters of Tees Valley Housing, which partners Erimus Housing in Fabrick Housing Group.

The new set-up will generate approximately 7200 units (kilowatt hours) of green power per year and will cut electricity bills by an estimated £470 in the first year alone.

An added benefit is the additional income raised from the Government’s Feed in Tariff (FIT), which could amount to more than £2,700 per year.

This means that the combined FIT payments and electricity savings could benefit the group by over £100,000 in 25 years, with CO2 savings of up to four tonnes per year. Thanks to the savings, the scheme will pay for itself in nine years.

Alison Thain, Chief Executive of Fabrick, said: “We are committed to sustainable working and living, something our employees strongly believe in and a message we are passing on to our residents to encourage the same values.

“This project demonstrates sustainability by minimising our carbon footprint and supporting the local economy. We can also save money which can be ploughed back into our services and support our work into the future.”

The initiative was delivered and managed by community interest company Community Energy Solutions (CES), with the panels manufactured by County Durham-based company Romag and installed by local installer Dodd Group.

Staff members based at Rivers House also took part in a series of awareness sessions to learn about the project.

Lynne Edwards, Chief Executive for CES, said: “PV is an effective way for homeowners and businesses to cut their energy bills, earn extra income and reduce their carbon footprint, so it’s no surprise that this technology has become part of Fabrick Housing Group’s green practices and been so well received by all its staff.”

The move is just one initiative being carried out as part of Fabrick Housing Group’s green agenda, which aims to influence and support staff, tenants, partners and stakeholders to help them work towards One Planet Living.

One Planet Living centres on the fact there is only one planet Earth yet currently the average UK citizen uses resources equivalent to three planets, highlighting the need for change.

Other initiatives carried out by the Group include volunteering projects for employees to boost the local environment, a scheme to increase recycling and a major campaign to reduce electricity usage, with initial results showing a 19% reduction in electricity use emissions in the offices using the most electricity.

Fabrick Housing Group was also recently shortlisted for two national awards in Inside Housing’s Sustainability Awards. The awards will be held later in the year.
 

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