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| NEWTOWNABBEY COUNCIL MAKES THE SMART MOVE TO GREEN ENERGY! |
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Newtownabbey Borough Council has taken a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future by installing a solar energy system to the roof of the Ballyearl Arts and Leisure Centre on the Doagh Road. Councils throughout Northern Ireland have the opportunity to install solar panels on their properties for a quarter of the price, thanks to Solar21, a renewable energy support programme from Northern Ireland Electricity’s Smart programme and the Energy Saving Trust in partnership with solarcentury.
Mayor Alderman William DeCourcy said: “Solar 21 has given the Council a tremendous opportunity to show civic leadership in the fight against greenhouse gas emissions by reducing our energy needs. Newtownabbey Borough Council is very aware of our obligation to the environment and is now investigating other sources of renewable energy.”
Designed to harness light energy, the system will generate a total of 4,400 units of renewable electricity each year making a saving on the Council’s energy bill and at the same time displacing 1.9 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Gwyneth Scott, NIE Energy Services Co-ordinator is delighted Newtownabbey Council has integrated new renewable sources of energy into their buildings. "Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies have the potential to substantially reduce the amounts of carbon dioxide emitted, helping to prevent climate change. The system will reduce the carbon dioxide emitted into the local environment by up to two tonnes. It is hoped that supporting this type of non-polluting energy source will help develop the market and encourage more homes and businesses to invest in sustainable energy solutions."
Noel Williams, Head of the Energy Saving Trust in Northern Ireland, manages the Solar Grant initiative in Northern Ireland and has been working with utilities, businesses and housing bodies to develop the use of renewable technologies. He has personally invested in PV himself with 3kWp system in his own home and says: “The beauty of a photovoltaic system is that you do not need a sunny climate to have a significant impact on home, school or business energy costs. Even on cloudy days in Northern Ireland there is a huge amount of light and photovoltaic cells will still generate electricity. We welcome the increased interest in renewable energy sources and hope more homeowners, businesses and councils will take a lead from local installations and adopt alternative energy sources in the future.”
Solar 21 contributes 75% towards the costs of the high efficiency Sanyo system, making the switch to renewable energy a smart move!
To find out more about energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions for your home or business check out the NIE Smart website www.niesmart.co.uk, the EST website www.est.org.uk, Action Renewables www.actionrenewables.org or EST NI Advice Line on freephone 0800 512 012.
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