Pioneering work begins today to install solar water heating panels on the roofs of seven B-listed Georgian tenements in the historic heart of Edinburgh, a Conservation Area and World Heritage Site.

The £200,000 Renewable Heritage project, benefiting social housing properties, is being run in partnership with Changeworks, Lister Housing Co-operative, Edinburgh World Heritage, eaga Charitable Trust and The City of Edinburgh Council, who have granted all permissions for the work.

Edinburgh has more listed buildings than any other UK city apart from London. Renewable energy installations in these properties are extremely rare, especially in multi-occupancy buildings such as tenements.

Renewable Heritage is ground-breaking not only because the work is being carried out on B-listed tenements in the World Heritage Site, but also because the pipework will be run down to serve all flats possible. The panels should provide over 50% of the annual hot water requirement of 49 properties, even those at basement level.

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Jenny Lewis, Chair of Lister Housing Co-operative, said: "This project will help reduce our tenants' fuel consumption, save carbon and support Scottish jobs, without in any way jeopardising our B-listed Georgian tenements - it's a win-win solution."

The work is being carried out by AES Ltd, Scotland's only solar panel manufacturer, based in Forres, and their local installer, Glendevon Energy. But this is just the first step. The project provides a model for others living in historic, protected homes to generate their own free, clean energy. The environmental charity Changeworks is producing a guide to installing all types of micro-renewable technology on older and historic buildings, which will be launched at a national conference in May.

Nicholas Heath from Changeworks said: "Nothing like this has ever been done before. Adapting historic properties can be complex, and tenements are one of the most common types of housing in Scotland.

"Edinburgh has shown a desire to lead the way in sustainability, and this is a fantastic step in the right direction. What's more, the project can be replicated in historic properties across Scotland."

Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said the study will help dispel the myth that historic buildings are neither energy efficient or capable of being sensitively refitted with sustainable energy measures.

(GK/JM)