TENANTS are to be consulted on plans to install solar panels on council-owned properties in a move to cut energy bills.

It was decided at last week’s council meeting to push forward with the proposal as Swindon seeks to harness solar power.

A motion was put forward by Mark Dempsey (Labour, Walcot and Park North) to put together a report examining the benefits.

A Conservative amendment was then proposed to have a full consultation with tenants, which passed with full cross-party support.

Coun Dempsey said: “Installing solar panels on council houses provides Swindon with a great opportunity to help cut residents’ energy bills by an estimated £300 per year, to help create new jobs and boost our economy, and provide a return on investment for the council. “This should be a key part of our vision for a Solar Swindon.

“Across the country, councils are seizing this opportunity. Wrexham has installed 3,000 solar panels on its council housing stock, helping tenants save £200 to £300 a year off their bills and providing the council with a profit of £1m a year.

“Many residents who have installed solar panels will already know the huge economic benefits of securing cheap green energy.

“Solar energy can help provide a stable source of energy for businesses and a ‘Solar Swindon’ creates a positive image for Swindon and help attract new businesses to our town. “Installing solar panels would create new jobs. More than 100 jobs were created by the solar scheme in Wrexham. In short, this is an opportunity with long-term economic security as the prize.

“This can also help reduce our carbon emissions and tackle climate change. Installing solar panels in Wrexham has helped reduce carbon emissions by 3,000 tonnes a year and enabled the council to rise way above central government targets, possibly the most by any British borough. There is huge potential for Swindon and with an ambitious strategy we could be a trail-blazing producer of green energy.”

The proposal has been welcomed by council leaders, who say it compliments the town’s solar plans but add it is important to get the details on funding before giving it full approval.

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan) said: “This initiative is very complementary to the work Swindon council is already taking on renewables.

“Examples are our 100 per cent renewable energy target for 2020, the A419 and M4 Solar Sound Barriers being built next summer and, in September, we agreed to set up a community investment scheme so residents can benefit from seven-plus per cent returns on any money they put in.

“The devil is in the detail, and I’m not sure loading up the council with millions of pounds of debt or diverting housing department funds from kitchen and bathroom refurbishments into solar panels on council houses is a wise move.

“Housing tenants need their say first and more work is needed on the idea, but it has potential.”