Renewed call for solar panels on Kildare County Council-owned buildings
The Council's Energy Office is currently preparing a tender for appointment of a solar photovoltaic contractor
A local councillor has renewed his call for buildings owned by Kildare County Council (KCC) to install solar energy panels on its buildings.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Rob Power followed up his first call, which he made back in February, with a renewed one at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which took place on Wednesday, July 15 last.
The topic arose when he submitted a motion calling for KCC ‘to scope a publicly owned rooftop solar pilot across council buildings in Newbridge, structured so that energy savings repay the capital cost over time’.
He also wanted KCC to report to the MD’s members regarding ‘the funding options available to deliver it, including invest-to-save borrowing, development contributions, and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and EU supports, with the model designed for replication across other towns in the county’.
Cllr Power’s motion was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr Brian O’Loughlin (Cllr O’Loughlin was also voted as the new Deputy Mayor of the MD at the start of the meeting).
KCC’S REPLY
In response to the motion, KCC said via the report it presented at the meeting: “The Energy Office is currently preparing a tender for appointment of a solar photovoltaic contractor / partner to roll out photovoltaic panels across all suitable KCC-owned buildings in the county.
“The intention is to publish the tender no later than the end Quarter 3 Of 2026, with a view to rolling out throughout 2027.”
KCC added: “We are currently carrying out informal market engagement to determine the best funding options.”
Furthermore, a representative for KCC who was also present at the meeting assured Cllr Power that the Council is also working on reducing its carbon footprint.
ACCEPTED
Cllr Power then spoke again and told KCC that he ‘really welcomed’ the contents of its report.
Following the meeting, he elaborated on his praise of the scheme.
Cllr Power said: “The rollout means public buildings such as libraries, swimming pools, area offices, and fire stations will generate their own electricity, cutting energy bills permanently and freeing up funding for frontline services.
"Solar installations on public buildings typically repay their cost within six to nine years and continue generating for more than twenty five, delivering long-term savings for the county.”
‘THE STRONGEST CASE’
He continued: “I raised this motion because I believe that County Councils need to get smarter about how we fund infrastructure.
“Projects that repay their own cost are the strongest case we can make, and I'm delighted that KCC has confirmed a county-wide rollout with a tender this year and installation through 2027.”
Cllr Power also indicated he will bring a motion on the subject to the next full Council meeting in order to request ‘that the funding options for capital investment be presented to elected members ahead of budget discussions later this year’.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme