Glasgow Rolls Out Solar Programme for Council-Owned Buildings

The city installs 1,700 solar panels across various buildings, aiming to reduce energy costs

A new phase of solar panel installation is aiming to reduce energy bills at several council-owned buildings in Glasgow; enhance the sustainability of local real estate and support the facilities management sector, driving both environmental and financial benefits. More than 1,700 solar panels are being installed as part of a scheme that includes arrays on two daycare centres, five primary schools, and the Kelvin Hall, with the capacity to generate more than 700,000 kWh of electricity every year.

Capturing solar energy from the rooftop arrays will power the buildings below and, in places, cover up to 96% of the electricity requirements of each building, saving more than £183,000 from running costs each year. It is anticipated that the solar panels, which have an expected lifespan in excess of 25 years, will have paid for themselves in around six to seven years.

Solar power generation is a proven renewable energy that will dramatically cut our costs and reduce our carbon emissions. Vacant land is increasingly at a premium within Glasgow, so it makes sense to utilize the available space on roofs across our built estate. Installing solar panels on buildings allows those buildings to benefit directly from the renewable energy produced and helps us maximize the financial return of our investment.

Angus Millar, Glasgow’s City Convener for Climate

“Increased electricity prices, improved solar panel efficiency, and lower prices for panels have all helped to reduce the effective payback period on PV installations,” said Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate.

The council’s use of photovoltaic (PV) panels has been growing in recent years, with 33 arrays already in place, generating 600,000 kWh every year. This latest phase of installation across eight buildings will include 1,000 solar photovoltaic panels being attached to the Kelvin Hall, making it the largest rooftop array in Glasgow and one of the biggest in Scotland.

“Solar power generation is a proven renewable energy that will dramatically cut our costs and reduce our carbon emissions,” Millar added. “Vacant land is increasingly at a premium within Glasgow, so it makes sense to utilise the available space on roofs across our built estate. Installing solar panels on buildings allows those buildings to benefit directly from the renewable energy produced and helps us maximize the financial return of our investment.”

A feasibility study for installations at 37 locations is currently underway. An initial assessment has indicated that solar arrays on all of these buildings could deliver almost 3.2 gigawatt hours of electricity per annum.

The solar panels being installed on these eight buildings are receiving funding through a £522k Scotland Recycling Fund loan, with match funding from Glasgow City Council. The total funding loan will be repaid using the savings generated via the reduction in electricity purchased from the national grid.

Zoe Hurst, programme coordinator at Salix, said, “We’re delighted to support Glasgow City Council with this ambitious project. The solar scheme will not only help to reduce the council’s energy bills but is being used as a way to educate the children and adults that use these facilities on the climate crisis and the benefits of solar.”

The buildings included in this phase of installation are Castleton Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Dalmarnock Primary School, Haghill Primary School, St Bernard’s Primary School, Mallaig Road Daycare, Muirhead Road Daycare, and the Kelvin Hall.

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