Salford City Council embarks on rooftop PV rollout

Installation of over 1,542 solar panels on 11 council buildings in Salford is underway, with the solar to be operational by the autumn.

Greater Manchester-based company NPS Solar is installing the solar panels, which are expected to generate 477,390kWh each year. They are to contribute to the Greater Manchester target of installing 45MW of renewable power.

Salford City Council is to spend £647,828 on the rollout, with this coming from a £5 million pot of government funding it is to receive through public body Salix Finance to upgrade the energy efficiency of the city’s public buildings.

This funding is part of £78 million for Greater Manchester to support energy efficiency upgrades to over 150 public buildings across the city-region.

The solar panels are to be installed at four leisure centres, Salford Sports Village, Salford Opportunities Centre, Prescott House, Little Hulton Early Years Centre, St George’s Day Cetre, Whittle Street Children’s Home and Turnpike Depot roof Workshop and Salt Store.

The council has previously installed solar panels on the Civic Centre, Salford Watersports Centre, Waterside Resource Centre, Guild Hall, Higher Broughton Hub and an Intermediate Care unit in a residential home name The Limes. 

Last year, Salford City Council partnered the Energy Systems Catapult to develop a solar farm in Little Hulton, with the partnership allowing the council to access advice and guidance from the Catapult as well as European Regional Development Fund grants.

Councillor Mike McCusker, lead Member for planning and sustainable development, said: “We’re delighted more solar panels will soon be up and ready in Salford to help the council increase renewable energy in the city and cut our carbon emissions.”

Alongside the solar, 12 air source heat pumps are also proposed to be installed.