Solar panels installed since 2017 have helped Barnet Council save £81,000, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Solar panels at Mill Hill Bowling Club (credit Barnet Council) — Solar panels on the roof of Mill Hill Bowling Club (credit Barnet Council)

Barnet Council is looking to install more solar panels to generate power in the borough after enjoying “massive” cost savings on energy.

The authority says solar panels on its buildings have saved it more than £81,000 on energy bills since the first ones were switched on in 2017.

Last year, solar panels on seven council properties saved £19,656 and generated enough electricity to power 35 average-sized homes per year, the council said.

Figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service via a Freedom of Information request reveal solar panels have so far been installed at 15 council-owned sites in Barnet. The first, at Oakleigh Depot, was switched on in 2017. Five sites became operational in 2020, three in 2021, and the rest were switched on during 2022.

The figures show the council’s solar panel scheme has so far generated 427,311 kWh of electricity. Based on the average annual household electricity usage figure of 2,900 kWh estimated by UK energy regulator Ofgem, that would be enough to power 147 homes for a year.

Barnet Council has set targets to slash the council’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 and for the borough to become carbon neutral by 2042.

A spokesperson said: “We generated 103,509 kWh of electricity through solar PV [photovoltaics] from just seven of our properties in the period between January 2022 and January 2023 alone. That’s the same as that used by 35 average homes per year. We have 15 non-domestic properties with solar panels across the borough, and since the first ones were installed in March 2017, they have generated a whopping 427,311 kWh of electricity.

“Not only is that a massive cost saving for the council; it improves the environment and health of our people, places and planet. This is part of our new mission as a council and it is one that we are deeply committed to. In May 2022, Barnet declared a climate and biodiversity emergency because we recognise that urgent action is needed.

“Under our new BarNET ZERO campaign, we’re working together with residents, businesses and community groups to become a net zero council by 2030 and borough by 2042.

“We are determined to reduce carbon emissions and become one of the most sustainable boroughs in London – solar panels are a key contributor to achieving this.

“That’s why we’re committed to installing solar panels to decarbonise our building stock, where appropriate, while maintaining their environmental integrity.

“We are also continuing to explore opportunities to increase our solar PV capacity at council-owned buildings.”

More details of the BarNET ZERO campaign are available online:
Visit engage.barnet.gov.uk/net-zero

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