Walking on Sunshine in Lenadoon

14/03/2007

West Belfast has its very first solar street with a number of houses in Horn Walk Lenadoon now having solar water heating installed.  
 
Three houses in Horn Walk are amongst the first to have the solar panels installed as part of the Government’s renewable energy campaign, with additional support from Northern Ireland Electricity.  
 
The solar panels can produce up to 60% of a household’s annual hot water needs and can cut water heating bills by an average £120 a year, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions.  
 
A spokesperson from the Department for Social Development said: “Solar panels take advantage of a free energy source, the sun. They also help to reduce energy bills and help our fight to eradicate fuel poverty. This initiative is one of several major projects supported by the Environment and Renewable Energy Fund (EREF).  
 
“We need to do everything we possibly can to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. We hope that the £59 EREF million fund will build this and encourage Northern Ireland people to harness the natural resources all around us to provide heat and power.”  
 
Caitrina McCullock from Horn Walk, one of the households to have a solar system installed said she’d noticed the difference already, even in the winter months. She said:  
 
“I had the panels installed a few months ago. It took about a day and a half and was no hassle. The installers left the place as they found it. The panels at this time of year are pre-heating the water so that it doesn’t take as long to heat the water when I do turn the heating on. In the summer we hopefully won’t need to use the oil or the immersion to heat the water at all which will help us to save money.”  
 
The solar water heating panels are being part funded by Northern Ireland Electricity. Gwyneth Scott from NIE recently visited two of the Horn Walk householders. She added:  
 
“Demand for alternative energy sources has been growing steadily in Northern Ireland and it is hoped that by encouraging this type of project, other homeowners and businesses will consider installing sustainable energy solutions.  
 
“We are very keen to help support renewable energy installations and currently have a grant available to help householders install electricity generating panels.”  
 
The solar panels were installed free of charge as part of a scheme which will install solar water heating systems in 500 homes in Northern Ireland as part of the Government’s renewable energy campaign. Households will be chosen following applications to other Government schemes such as Warm Homes.  
 
For information on the Warm Homes Scheme ring the Eaga Partnership, who is managing the scheme, on FREEPHONE 0800 181 667.  
 
For more information on renewable energy and NIE grants available visit www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk  

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