Solar helping council cut energy bills

Solar panels installed at Áras an Chontae are generating around 20% of its electricity needs, members of Westmeath County Council were told at their March meeting.

Addressing councillors, Ruth Holton said the photovoltaic (PV) panels have been operational for two years and are delivering energy savings. She confirmed that a second installation in Athlone became operational at the end of January, although detailed performance data is not yet available. She said: “It is interesting to note that on one of the blue sky days we had, it was generating 66% of the building energy requirements at that time.” That is a strong early result, she said.

Ms Holton also outlined progress under the housing retrofit programme, and said 23 units were upgraded last year, taking the total number of retrofitted homes to 1,626 since the scheme began in 2013.

She said the council continue to roll out upgrades annually, and have a target of 45 homes for 2026. The standard of retrofitting has improved, she added, and the most recent phase upgrades homes from an average Building Energy Rating (BER) of F to B2.

Ms Holton said 186 new housing units were added to council stock last year through a range of delivery streams. The update formed part of a broader report to members on climate action and energy efficiency measures being implemented across the county.