New solar panel canopy at Cornwall Council nears completion

Transcript

00:00The purpose of this project is one of many initiatives that we're doing across our council estate

00:08that put renewable energy infrastructure in wherever possible.

00:13This being the first solar canopy that we've constructed, this is very much a learning exercise for us

00:19but in the hope that moving to the future, some of our car parks will also see this technology introduced.

00:26It's widely accepted across Europe, now in Cornwall we're also embracing it.

00:32This is a 230kW canopy and it's going to generate around 200,000kWh.

00:41That is about a third of Newcastle's energy consumption

00:48and that is equivalent to the average annual consumption of around 74 homes.

00:57It's important for various reasons. Economically it makes sense.

01:04This thing is costing us about £720,000.

01:08Our rate of return in respect of the power it produces is about 4.8%.

01:16So it's good for money.

01:20This is the largest solar canopy yet to have been constructed in Cornwall

01:25and what a brilliant site to do it on.

01:28We're here on the main road, as you come into Truro, so people can actually visibly see what Cornwall Council is doing.

01:37In terms of security, the more power of your own you generate, the more secure you are.

01:42It's as simple as that.