Sunshine for homes in Leicester

24 January 2004

The first of 50 homes to receive free solar energy was switched on today in Leicester. The homes are in a section of regeneration in the Braunstone area. The 50 houses involved have been selected because they have south or east-facing roofs, which makes them ideal for solar panels.

Any excess energy from the solar panels will be exported, and purchased by Ecotricity. This will mean significantly reduced electricity bills for the residents, in an area historically suffering from fuel poverty. The Ecotricity scheme is called Renewable Rewards and is available to anyone with small-scale generating equipment such as solar panels or wind turbines. The money from Ecotricity will go into a community pot to help fund future projects.

Ecotricity will buy back excess energy at the retail price less distribution charges, making it the most cost effective tariff in the UK for owners of small-scale generation. Residents have all signed up to Ecotricity's New Energy Tariff, which directly invests in the building of new sources green energy.

The £500,000 cost is being funded by the Department of Trade and Industry's £20m grant programme, Braunstone Community Association and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

Residents are being encouraged to become more energy efficient, and progress will be monitored by De Montfort University's Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development who will carry out a three-year research study.

The project has been largely driven forward by Leicestershire green charity, Environ, who work to improve the environmental sustainability of the local community.