Solar panels and LED lighting to help cut carbon emissions at Children's Centre

New solar panels and LED lighting will be installed at Widemarsh Children's Centre in a bid to reduce carbon emissions.

The Children's Centre in Hereford, is home to multiple partners and providers in delivering a menu of services for families 0-5 years and offering core services to support family's needs up until children start school. There is also a community café on site.

The 210 new solar panels will generate 55,478 kWh per year and the installation of LED lighting and controls will save over 6,000 kWh/yr. Combined they will deliver a carbon reduction of just over 21.6 tonnes of CO2e every year - this is equivalent to 9,544,893 smartphones being charged.*

The installation cost of £60,597 was match funded by a 50% grant from the Sustainable Energy in Public Buildings programme, which is a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant scheme for innovative low carbon measures in public buildings across the Marches.

With projected savings to the council of £8,194 every year, this means the installation will repay the council funding within four years.

Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet member for Environment and Economy, said: "We have in place a network of solar installations on council property across the county, with more being planned, and they make a vital contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and providing clean, efficient energy. The latest Greenhouse Gas Report (2020/21) shows that Herefordshire Council has delivered a 59.6% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the 2008/09 baseline.

"The installation of solar panels is just one of the ways we are working as an organisation to reduce our carbon footprint. We are also looking for people from a wide variety of backgrounds to join our new Herefordshire Climate and Nature Partnership Board, working together to steer and oversee the implementation of Herefordshire's Climate and Nature Action Plans."