Kildare County Council encouraged to progress rooftop solar panel installations

Kildare County Council (KCC) has been encouraged to progress the installation of rooftop solar panels across the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD).

The request was heard at the latest MD meeting, which took place on Wednesday, February 18 last.

A discussion about the subject arose following the submission of a motion by Fianna Fáil Cllr Rob Power, who appeared at the meeting by virtual means.

Specifically, Cllr Power motioned for KCC to provide a list of council-owned buildings in the MD which would be "suitable for rooftop solar and an implementation plan to roll out installations under existing SEAI [The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland] or national schemes".

His motion was seconded by Sinn Féin Cllr Noel Connolly.

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In response to his motion, KCC provided the following information via the report it presented at the meeting: "KCC has prepared a draft schedule of buildings in KCC’s control or ownership within the MD."

"Considering the number of buildings involved a discussion will be undertaken with each section involved and an initial feasibility study undertaken to establish the suitability of the building to receive a PV installation," KCC added.

Speaking further on his motion, Cllr Power clarified that he was not solely referring to Council-owned homes, and also asked KCC: "Can the Executive come back to us in the future on this?"

He stressed: "There will be a longer term play [here] and it is something we need to look at from a strategic perspective."

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Cllr Power's party colleague, and the Mayor of the MD, Cllr Noel Heavey, said that he agreed with Cllr Power's sentiments.

In addition, another Fianna Fáil Cllr, Brian O'Loughlin, called Cllr Power's suggestion "a very worthwhile proposal" and urged KCC "not to do this in a hurry".

Furthermore, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender said that he welcomed the idea: "We need to be leaders on this; I think it needs to take priority and not to deliver it as quickly as it can be done."

Fianna Fáil Cllr Rob Power. File photograph

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.