Local renewable energy generation offers several benefits, including reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources, minimising transmission and distribution losses, fostering energy independence, and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Common sources of local renewable energy include, but are not limited to, the following:
The council aims to spread awareness of local renewable energy generation and has done so through the promotion of the Solar Together Scheme and the installation of solar panels on multi-storey car parks and new developments to increase the generation of local renewable energy.
The Council is currently reviewing, updating, and including new Local Plan policies that favour developments including local renewable energy generation as part of their features, for self-consumption and contribution to the power grid decarbonisation.
Working with the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership(opens in new window) (HCCSP) to deliver the Solar Together Hertfordshire, a group buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage. The scheme enable residents to access high quality, roof-mounted solar PC systems at a competitive price. Delivered through iChoosr's Solar Together Programme, the scheme has been running in Hertfordshire since 2022.
In the latest round, 143 households registered, with 12 progressing to solar panel installation, 10 installing battery storage and one installing an EV charging point. These installations are estimated to save approximately 10 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
Find out more at Solar Together Hertfordshire (stevenage.gov.uk)
Feasibility study has been commissioned has been produced.
Working with the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership(opens in new window) (HCCSP) to deliver the Solar Together Hertfordshire, a group buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage.
In the second round, 210 households registered, with 46 progressing to solar panel installation and 2 installing battery storage. These installations are estimated to save approximately 22 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
76 Solar panels were installed on the roof of the MSCP. As of December 2023, this has saved 9.18 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere which is the equivalent to planting 13 trees.