Viridian Solar and Places for People Announce Collaboration to Install 250 Solar Homes Next Year

December 2006, Cambridge and Preston, UK.

Places for People, the UKs largest housing and regeneration group and leading solar panel manufacturer Viridian Solar have announced a partnership to install 250 low-cost solar panels in affordable homes across the UK next year.

It is thought to be the single biggest commitment to installing solar panels by a housing group in the UK. The first 50 solar panels will be installed in McCutcheon Court – a flagship regeneration scheme in Walker Riverside, Newcastle.

Places for People’s Group Director Tony Anderson said:
“If we are serious about tackling the threats posed by climate change then the government must offer greater incentives for housing groups and people on low incomes wanting to go green and install renewable technologies in their own homes, this has to be about more than assuaging middle class guilt,”

“Homes are responsible for more than a quarter of all carbon emissions, yet addressing the issue still remains the preserve of those who can afford sky-high installation costs, which can be as much as £3,000.”

"The solar panels we will be installing will help us to achieve higher renewable energy targets on our buildings and help reduce residents’ energy bills, providing both environmental and social benefits. Our aim is to mainstream the use of renewable technologies and develop new homes that are not only energy efficient and have a limited effect on the environment, but which are also appealing to the people who live in them.”

By mainstreaming the technology into its building programme it is expected that the solar panel units will cost below £1,000 per household – around a quarter the cost of traditional solar panel systems – making them far more affordable for new housing developments and existing homes. The solar panels provide up to 60% of the annual hot water demand for the homes to which they are fitted.

Stuart Elmes, Chief Executive of Viridian Solar said that the order would help drive forward the use of renewable technologies.

“After three years working with forward-looking organisations such as Places for People to develop a solar panel that addresses the needs of the construction industry, Viridian Solar has launched a panel that is cost effective, with great looks and easy installation. This partnership with Places for People, with a guaranteed annual volume is a vote of confidence, and will help encourage other developers to move from tentative pilot studies towards wide deployment of pragmatic and cost-effective renewable energy technologies.”

Web Links:
Places for People Group
Viridian Solar Heating Products

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