Solar panels could slash Welshpool tax payers' energy costs
The local authority has been hit by spiralling energy costs in recent years, with the Town Hall, in particular, haemorrhaging tens of thousands of local tax payer pounds every year.
But Cllr Ben Gwalchmai wants to investigate a solution and at this week’s Property and Services Committee meeting, he put it to fellow councillors that solar panels could hit the spot.
“It’s quite obvious when a grant or two are available we should take advantage of it,” he said, adding that there were two grant funds currently open and available. “Solar panels and, more importantly a battery as well, save a lot of money on energy bills.
“Putting solar panels on the Tourist Information Centre would work as it is a building with a great big roof and plenty of sun to save the council money in the long run.”
Acting Town Clerk Venessa Voysey warned that the sloping part of the roof faces north, but Cllr Gwalchmai informed her that modern contemporary panels don’t need every panel facing south.
He also said that any excess power generated could be sold back to the National Grid as a source of revenue to support town projects, whilst ticking the box for environmental sustainability.
Councillors backed his wish to take the grant applications forward, providing they were covering 100% of the costs involved.
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