THOUSANDS of council tenants across the borough will benefit from a new solar panel scheme for Barnsley's council houses.
A partnership between British Gas Solar, Gen Community and Social Finance to install solar panels on council houses and buildings was approved at a cabinet meeting last Wednesday.
Coun Alan Gardiner, cabinet spokesman for corporate services, said council tenants in suitable properties will benefit from the free electricity generated by the solar panels.
It is hoped this will help reduce the risk of fuel poverty for thousands of tenants across the borough with savings of between £130 and 150 per year on electricity bills - about £29m over the 20 year life of the project.
He also said it would generate £3.6m of community funding to support future projects, with £60,000 available from day one.
