Public buildings get solar panels in £350k project

2 hours ago

Wendy MiddletonYorkshire

News image — Chapeltown Library is one of the buildings earmarked to get solar panels

Google A one storey red brick building is side on to the camera under a blue sky with small white clouds. The roof slopes from high on the right down to the left. A big white sign on the side of the building says Chapeltown Library in blue lettering. The pavement runs from left to right along the bottom of the picture and a pathway leads up from the pavement to the centre of the picture and along the front of the building. A low fence of just one rail separates the ground around the library from the pavement. There are flowers and bushes along the edge of the fence. — Chapeltown Library is one of the buildings earmarked to get solar panels

Solar panels are to be installed on community buildings across Sheffield as part of a significant investment by the city council in renewable energy.

Nine sites, including libraries and community centres, have been selected to have the solar photovoltaic panels installed.

The aim is to help reduce running costs, cut carbon emissions and support the city council's net zero ambitions.

In total, £350,000 from the authority's Local Renewable Energy Fund has been earmarked to pay for the installation.

The investment will support sites at Bradway Annex, Burngreave Vestry, Norfolk Park Community Centre, Firth Park Community Centre, Firth Park Library, Sharrow Lane (Grange Crescent), Verdon Street Community Resource Centre, Chapeltown Library and Tinsley Community Centre.

The panels will generate renewable electricity on site, reducing the buildings' reliance on the national grid and lowering energy bills.

It is estimated the investment could pay for itself within six to eight years through energy savings.

Wil Stewart, Director of Investment, Climate Change and Planning at Sheffield City Council, said: "By installing solar panels on some of our most valued community buildings, we're helping reduce energy costs, cutting carbon emissions and creating more sustainable spaces for residents to use and enjoy.

"It's a practical step towards our net zero ambitions while ensuring community centres and libraries can continue to thrive for years to come."

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