News / Aith school gets solar panels
AN ARRAY of solar panels is to be installed on the roof of Aith Junior High School as an energy-saving measure.
The £13,000 project will see a 12kW solar PV array fitted while other roof works are being carried out – allowing them to be installed using scaffolding that has already been erected.
Council officials estimate the project will pay for itself within seven years and during the units’ proposed 20-year lifespan will save the local authority £34,000 from its energy bill.
The solar panels will generate 8,000kWh (kilowatt hours) of electricity a year – currently around a tenth of the school’s electricity consumption, though that proportion will rise once other energy-saving measures have been installed.
A report to Shetland Islands Council on Wednesday stated that it is hoped the local authority can “act as a demonstrator for the viability of solar panels on commercial buildings locally and thus encourage other local home and business owners to follow our example and make their own savings”.
The solar panels were approved under delegated authority by infrastructure director Maggie Sandison, and council leader Cecil Smith told the meeting it was “a good scheme taking opportunity of scaffolding already there”.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
