A Bright Idea for Powering City's Needs? ; Hull: Solar Panels Planned for Car Parks

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SOLAR panels could be fitted to Hull's multistorey car parks under plans to make more of the city run off renewable energy. The devices would help power council buildings, saving the local authority money, and any surplus electricity can be sold to the National Grid. The Mail can reveal Hull City Council has identified the roofs of four car parks where the solar panels would be located. A feasibility study into the idea is now being carried out. It comes as the Government recently granted local authorities permission to sell electricity derived from renewable sources to the grid. Hull City Council environment portfolio holder, Councillor Dave Woods, revealed discussions have taken place to capitalise on the green revolution. He told the Mail: "We have been looking at ways to provide more renewable energy. Now, we can sell on any surplus energy, it makes even more sense." Installing the panels on top of the city's car parks could be the answer. "It is early days, but we have been investigating the idea of using the tops of multi-storey car parks for solar power, generating energy for council buildings," said Mr Woods.

"These provide a lot of space where we can install a power station and panels. They would look like jewels in the sky and be something of an art form." Providing more renewable energy could also prove lucrative. The Mail understands funding for the installation of the panels is likely to come from central government. Mr Woods said: "There have been funding cuts, but this is economically viable and would further enhance the city's reputation as a renewable energy centre of excellence. "We believe such a scheme BY JAMES CAMPBELL j.campbell@mailnewsmedia.co.uk could be paid back within ten years." Once paid back, the council could save Pounds 1.5 million a year on its annual Pounds 9 million bill and even find itself in the black. Mr Woods said: "The Government will fix the price of energy fed back into the grid for 25 years, which means for at least 15 years we would make money. "That would then be reinvested into energy-saving schemes." Pryme Street car park, in the city centre, is likely to be the first to have the panels installed and, if successful, will be rolled out to the others. The move could even help prepare for the future of travel in the area. Mr Woods said: "We have the structure in place for plug- ins for electric cars. "If we had these power stations in place, they could be used to recharge the vehicles."

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A Bright Idea for Powering City's Needs? ; Hull: Solar Panels Planned for Car Parks

The council's director for business support, Adrien...

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