ISLE of Wight Council has supported three ‘green’ energy projects across the Island costing nearly £40,000.
Solar power, and power from heat generated in the ground have lowered the carbon footprint on buildings in three villages across the Isle of Wight – and saved thousands of pounds in energy bills.
In one project, cash generated from an energy saving scheme has even allowed the Brading Centre to sell power it generates back to the National Grid.
The three schemes have been spearheaded by Isle of Wight Council and project managed by Lightworks Engineering.
The Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners have supplemented their heating system with solar panels costing £20,180 which have been installed on the roof of the Yarmouth Harbour office.
Chris Lisher the chief executive and harbour master said: “Visiting yachtsmen and women take in excess of 25,000 showers each year and we expect to see considerable reduction in gas consumption due to the new system which provides hot water to showers and basins.
“We are thankful for the support provided by the Leader Plus government grant obtained by Isle of Wight Council which enabled this project to go ahead.
“This is the first of a number of energy saving and environmentally friendly projects being undertaken during 2008 by the Yarmouth Harabour Commisioners.”
At the Brading Centre in West Street, Brading ten solar panels costing £7,988 have been mounted on the roof of the centre and connected to the electricity grid.
Surplus electricity generated is sold back to power companies and income credited to the centre. Half the cost of the panels was paid for by the Low Carbon Buildings programme.
At Shorwell Village Hall, with the additional assistance of the AONB Partnership funding, a heating system has been installed which uses a heat pump to extract low grade heat from the ground to warm the hall.
Dennis Russell of Shorwell Village Hall Committee said: “The community has been really pleased with the support we hae received from all our partners to install this new heating system, which not only reduces our carbon footprint, but helps to make the village hall a more welcoming and viable community facility for the 21st Century.”
The system costing £10,805 is due to be completed shortly.
Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet member for environment Councillor Tim Hunter Henderson said: “These three schemes are an excellent example of how the council supports green initiatives across the Isle of Wight.
“The projects both reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to our emerging “eco-island” initiative which aims to protect the quality of the Island’s unique environment.”
