Solar panel plan for Nottingham council homes

Hundreds of homes in part of Nottingham are set to be fitted with solar panels to try to reduce energy bills.

Nottingham City Council is working with energy company E.ON to fit 600 homes with panels on council-owned properties in Aspley.

The 2kW solar panels will produce an estimated 4,000kWh of electricity per year. The average household consumes between 3,500 and 4,500 kWh annually.

The city council claims the scheme will also help create jobs in the area.

Councillor Graham Chapman, deputy leader of Labour-run Nottingham City Council, said: "Nottingham already provides 11% of its own energy and schemes like this will undoubtedly increase our reputation for being the Energy City.

"But more importantly it will also help reduce fuel poverty and offer real jobs and training opportunities for local people in the growing green economy."

The council is, in effect, renting roof space to E.ON who will retain ownership of the solar panels.

Tenants will only pay for electricity used at night when the solar panels are dormant or any energy used over that which is generated during the day.