Solar panels set for Glasgow buildings

SOME of Glasgow’s best-known buildings – such as the Royal Concert Hall and the Emirates Arena (pictured) – are to be fitted with solar panels, to save an estimated £750,000 per year on energy costs.

Says the local authority, which is spearheading the initiative: “A total of 15 schools, day care centres, leisure centres and other council facilities are in line for the initial phases of the solar panel installation scheme, which will be backed by £2m of council funding.”

The announcement continues, here: “At present the council operates 33 solar panel arrays on rooftops across the city, generating 616,000 kWh of energy.

“The forthcoming installations could generate a further 3700kWp of electricity and it is anticipated that almost of all of this energy will be used within the buildings where the solar panels have been placed..

“Backed by £2m of funding from the council, the scheme will draw in match funding from Salix, the UK Government body that manages solar panel funding on behalf of the Scottish and Welsh Governments, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Scottish Funding Council.

“Full feasibility studies will be undertaken on all 15 of the buildings proposed for inclusion in the first two phases of the project. A further 35 buildings will also be looked at in detail to understand their potential for taking on solar panels, which have an anticipated life span of 25 years.”

The announcement adds: From an initial list of 200 buildings, 50 properties are being put forward for detail assessments of their potential for solar power installation.

“Of these 50 properties, 15 buildings have been identified for priority action over two phases.

“Kelvin Hall, Dalmarnock Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Haghill Primary School, St Bernard’s Primary School, Glasgow Scientific Services, Mallaig Road Day Care Centre and Muirhead Day Care Centre are all in line for the first phase of work.

“In the second phase, Emirates Arena, Tollcross Leisure Centre, Bellahouston Leisure Centre, Gorbals Leisure Centre, Springburn Leisure Centre, Glasgow Museum Resource Centre and Royal Concert Hall are going forward to be developed as sites for solar power.

“Salix has agreed in principle to match fund 50 per cent of costs. Once detailed costs for installation have been established for the first phase, the extent of the contribution Salix will be confirmed. Discussions with Salix over future funding remain on-going. It is expected the total cost of phase one and phase two will be £4 million.”

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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