Stirling Council has reached a milestone on its ongoing investment in renewable technology across the region.

The 1,500th solar photovoltaic panel has been installed on a new build bungalow in Firs Crescent, Bannockburn.

The installation is one of 50 properties that are also piloting the addition of a battery storage system to maximise the energy efficiency benefits of a solar PV installation.

Overall, the installations to date will generate nearly four million units of electricity each year, enough to meet the average annual electricity needs of 1,000 homes. In addition, it is estimated the solar PV systems will result in an annual saving of under £300 for each household.

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So far, the council has invested over £8m on solar PV to its housing stock, with a further £4.25m committed over the next 12 to 24 months, resulting in a further 1,200 properties to benefit from solar PV.

The investment will be complemented by further investment in central heating upgrades and window replacement programmes as part of the Housing Capital Investment Programme over the next two years.

Cllr Violet Weir said: "With electricity costs forming such a high proportion of household budgets, it's important that we do all we can to reduce energy costs through a range of measures, and I'm delighted to witness this latest solar panel installation. Combined with the battery storage system, our tenants are benefitting from the latest technology to reduce their energy costs.

"The savings will actually increase each year as the cost of electricity is expected to continue to rise so, this really is an investment that will continue to benefit our tenants for years to come."

(LM/CD)