Solar panel plans progress at Council depot

Plans to install solar panels at Blaby District Council’s vehicle depot in Whetstone are progressing as part of a major switch to green technology.

Last September Councillors agreed to invest more than £1million on panels as well as the long-term introduction of electric charging points for the District’s bin lorries.

Now planning committee members have approved proposals to fit ladders, walkways and edge protection on the roofs of the three depot buildings. This will provide permanent access to the panels, once fitted, allowing for safe long-term maintenance.

There will be a total of 306 panels, 98 on the offices, 94 on the workshop and 114 on the stores building. The panels will offer a carbon reduction of 25 tonnes CO2 a year - the equivalent of planting 1,184 trees - with an estimated annual electricity saving of £25,000, cutting our energy use on site by around 43%.

All preparatory investigations for the project have been completed and works will start within the coming months.

Plans for the EV charging points are being developed further, with the Council looking at the best way to implement any changes.  

Councillor Cheryl Cashmore, Blaby District Council Portfolio Holder for Climate, said: "Our solar panel project will help us in our priority of reducing our carbon footprint and becoming carbon neutral in our operations by 2030. These panels will ensure we make significant CO2 savings as well as cutting our energy bills."

Fellow Councillor, Nigel Grundy, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, added: "The solar panels will make our operations at the depot much more sustainable. It’s great to see how much work has already gone into the plans and it’s satisfying we are now reaching the final stages."

Councillor Cheryl Cashmore
Portfolio Holder for Health, Leisure, Climate and Economic Development

Councillor Nigel Grundy
Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets