A NEW partnership between the government and Jersey Electricity will see rooftop solar arrays installed across a range of public buildings.
JE chief executive Chris Ambler said that the utility company had been working on the agreement, which has involved analysis of the public portfolio to identify key sites for potential installations, “for some time”.
Schools, car parks, depot buildings and “other civic premises” are among the possible sites being considered, with detailed surveys to be commissioned on a shortlist that will enable the inaugural location “to be kick-started this year”.
Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan described the agreement as “a significant moment for locally generated renewable power using public properties”.
He continued: “Government has a responsibility to lead on sustainability and deliver value for our Island; ensuring that energy produced from our buildings benefits the community is central to that commitment.”
Mr Ambler said: “It’s excellent news that we have agreed terms with government to progress rooftop solar on public buildings as we have been working on this for some time.
He continued: “This is a major step forward in building local renewable electricity generation and shows our shared commitment to sustainability.
“Every site generating local renewable power helps to build our Island’s energy sovereignty with the electricity generated being socialised across all our customers via the grid.”
He also said that JE often hears customers “asking for more rooftop solar on public buildings”, adding that “we believe this will be welcome news for many”.
“Rooftop solar has a significant role to play in reaching the island’s sustainability objectives, as well as contributing to JE’s solar 5,000 ambition to power 5,000 homes with locally generated solar power by 2030.”
