Chester MP Chris Matheson has met directors of Chester Community Energy to be briefed on the scheme to install 200 solar panels on the roof of Northgate Arena leisure centre.
As a supporter of renewable energy Chris was keen to endorse the project and give his support to a community project run by volunteers.
He said: “I installed solar panels on my own house back in 2010 and now I am reaping the reward of free electricity during the day and receiving payments through the feed in tariff scheme that was instigated by a Labour government.
“In my opinion all suitable roofs should be put to use in generating electricity as every unit produced saves a unit generated from fossil fuel based power stations. This project at Northgate Arena is a classic example of using a redundant space to generate electricity which can be all be used at the centre at a lower cost than supplied from the grid.”
The project is on schedule to be completed before the deadline of September 29.
Director of Chester Community Energy Graham Booth said: “We need to install by the end of September to claim the pre-registered feed in tariff rate that makes the scheme financially viable.
“Income is created from selling power to the leisure centre and from feed in tariff payments for generating renewable energy. Income is then used to pay investors in the scheme annual interest and to invest in further renewable energy projects. This scheme creates enough income to pay investors 4% interest and reinvest up to £45,000 in community projects over a 20 year period.”
For more details visit website www.chestercommunityenergy.org.uk.
