Schueco solar panels for sheltered housing complex

Residents in Kent Grove, a sheltered housing complex in Chesterton, Staffordshire run by Aspire Housing, are expected to save over £100 on their annual electricity bills as a result of their homes being equipped with high-efficiency photovoltaic solar panels supplied by leading renewable energy specialist, Schueco UK Limited.

In all, 29 bungalows and a community hall are now solar-powered at a cost of £235,000, jointly funded by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Aspire Housing, who won a competitive tender process for £100,000 worth of eco-friendly council funding.

When the scheme was first announced in February, Neale Clifton, Executive Director for Regeneration and Development, explained: "One of the council’s priorities is to reduce domestic energy use which currently makes up 37% of the borough’s carbon emissions. Using renewable energy in this way reduces reliance on the national grid while supporting older people who may be suffering from fuel poverty."

The installation process was undertaken by local company BGC Ltd which runs a training centre to educate young apprentices in all aspects of renewable energy. With Phase 1 now successfully completed, residents are said to be delighted at the prospect of seeing their future energy bills substantially reduced.

Aspire Housing is part of the Aspire Group which works across North Staffordshire and South Cheshire. Commenting on the Kent Grove scheme, Will Nixon, Aspire Housing’s Director of Regeneration said: “In a recent consultation, customers told us that making their homes more energy efficient and reducing running costs is a priority. We are very pleased to work in partnership with the borough council to deliver this scheme which will make it more affordable for our customers at Kent Grove to heat and light their homes, as well as reducing the environmental impact of the scheme.” He added: “We are committed to continuing this kind of innovative investment in our homes and communities.”