BGC Renewables - Aspire Project Update
RESIDENTS SET TO CUT ELECTRICITY BILLS AFTER BGC INSTALLS ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY SOLAR PANELS
Tenants at a sheltered housing complex will be able to reduce their electricity bills and steer clear of fuel poverty thanks to the completion of a £235,000 renewable energy scheme, which taps into solar power to generate electricity.
Stoke-on-Trent-based BGC Renewables has fitted state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels (PVs) to the roofs of 29 Aspire Housing bungalows and a community hall in Kent Grove, Chesterton, Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The PV panels work by harnessing the sun’s rays to generate low-cost, environmentally friendly energy for the properties, making electricity more affordable for residents. It is estimated that each household will save £104 a year on their electricity bills.
An added benefit is that Newcastle-under-Lyme-based Aspire Housing can also take advantage of the government’s Feed-in Tariff, which pays people or organisations using renewable energy for every unit of surplus electricity they send into the National Grid.
BGC Renewables – which is an expanding division of building maintenance and services specialist BGC Group – is pioneering the installation of renewable energy in commercial premises, private homes and across large numbers of properties owned by councils or social landlords.
It is based at a dedicated Renewable Energy Training Centre in Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, where it provides the skills needed by a new breed of technicians, as well as offering education and awareness of renewables to school and college groups from primary age upwards.
To celebrate the completion of the project, the company hosted an open day for residents at the Kent Grove community hall. Pupils from nearby St Chad’s Primary School choir sang for residents, and raffles, bingo and quizzes were also laid on.
BGC Group’s Renewables and Excellence Director Mark Davies said: “It is great news that Aspire Housing and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council are being so proactive when it comes to promoting and utilising green and renewable energy and we are very pleased to be playing our part.
“The photo voltaic panels will not only save money on electricity bills for elderly residents but will also help protect the future environment for children too.”
Social housing provider Aspire jointly-funded the project with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council after winning a tender process, which asked for eco-friendly ideas on how to spend £100,000 of council funding.
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 costs was a priority.
“We are very pleased to work with BGC Renewables and in partnership with the borough council to deliver this scheme, which will make it more affordable for our customers in Kent Grove to heat and light their homes.
“We are committed to continuing this kind of innovative investment in our homes and communities.”
