Carmarthenshire Council is expected to give the green light to an ambitious solar panel scheme which will see the panels placed on 2,700 homes and 17 sheltered housing schemes across the county as well as other local authority-owned buildings. The move affecting south facing properties follows the authority carrying out a major renovation and upgrade programme across its entire housing stock in recent years.

Council leader Kevin Madge said the multi-million pound scheme could help cut tenants' bills and help with the fuel poverty facing many in the county.

On Monday, the executive board is expected to look at two two funding options for the programme.

One option is for the council to pay up front for the installation work and cover the 20-year costs of maintenance while receiving an income from the feed in tarif power generated was funnelled in to the National Grid.

The costs for the scheme have been put at around £19 million during the installation and roof-strengthening phase and a further £9.1million maintenance over the 20-year life of the panels. The estimated income over 20 years amounts to £23.5million.

The exectutive board however is expected to opt for a "rent-a-roof" funding model, which sees all installation and 20-year maintenance costs met by third-party contractors. The "rent-a-roof" scheme offers no direct income to the authority, but provides the council, the public and other organisations the chance to take up share offers which would be expected to offer a return of two-and-a-half times the initial investment over 20 years.

The "rent-a-roof" scheme allows requires contractors to create a community fund, also payable over 20 years, to address fuel poverty for tenants unable to benefit directly from the installation programme.

Credits:: Carmarthen Journal