A SOLAR array has been installed on the roof of Tommyfield Market Hall as Oldham Council looks to become one of the greenest local authorities in the country while also saving money.
Electricity generated from the 110kw solar array will be used to power the hall, which is home to more than 90 independent traders.
The council will save around £9,000 a year on its electricity bill, with the money to be reinvested in the market hall.
The green electricity generated will also save around 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide – one of the main ‘greenhouse gases’– from being emitted into the atmosphere every year.
Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Cabinet Member for Finance and Human Resources, said: “Over the next financial year Oldham Council needs to make savings of £19m.
“We need to come up with innovative ways of saving money to secure the future of buildings such as Tommyfield Market Hall whilst at the same time finding clean, sustainable alternative energy sources.”
He continued: “The roof of Tommyfield Market is a perfect site for this solar array due to its size and will be our flagship green project for 2016.
“We are leading the way as a co-operative green authority, as we look to become more energy self-sufficient at a time when fuel bills are continually on the rise.”
Proposals are now also being considered to install solar panels on other council-owned buildings across the borough.
The installation of the solar panels comes shortly after the council welcomed the signing of the United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP21) agreement, which helps organisations manage the world’s transition to a low carbon economy.
The agreement will help Oldham Council strengthen the growing partnership working already taking place across the borough to do their bit to tackle climate change.
Oldham’s own Climate Change Strategy also sets an ambitious target of a 48 per cent cut in carbon emissions by 2020.
Oldham already boasts the largest biomass-fuelled district heating network in the UK, and the award-winning Warm Homes Oldham scheme for residents.
They are also working with the Government on a new apprenticeship standard for community-owned renewable energy.
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