Green boost as tenements to run off the sun

SOLAR panels are set to be installed on the roofs of four Georgian tenement buildings in Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. The plans, drawn up by the Lister Housing Co-operative, will see the panels fitted to the sloping roofs of buildings on Lauriston Place and Keir Street.The proposals have been developed by the housing group in association with Changeworks, the Edinburgh-based sustainable development organisation, and Edinburgh World Heritage.The proposals have been developed by the housing group in association with Changeworks, the Edinburgh-based sustainable development organisation, and Edinburgh World Heritage.

It is part of the ongoing Renewable Heritage project, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating renewable energy into older properties.

The solar panels would provide renewable water heating for all of the flats in the buildings, with each of the panels connected to a specific flat.

It is also proposed to have energy monitoring equipment to provide details on just how much power is generated by the solar panels.

Lister Housing Co-operative said that having the solar panels installed on tenements would help towards the city’s aspiration to be the most sustainable city in northern Europe by 2016.

Source: Edinburgh Evening News, 13th August 2008