Jun 9 2010
Residents of the World Heritage Site in Central Edinburgh received solar water heating systems thanks to the Lister Housing Co-operative and the ScottishPower Energy People Trust.
The ScottishPower Energy People Trust has provided £90,000 in donations to the housing co-operative for meeting the expenses incurred in setting up solar water heating renewable energy systems for the residents. This funding provided the low-income tenants of Lister Housing Co-operative with cost-effective hot water.
The Lister Housing Co-operative offers cost-effective housing for various low-income vulnerable individuals. Work on this project commenced in February 2009, with the installation of solar water heating systems to 49 houses. Water gets heated by the solar panels installed on the rooftops of the homes.
The project has received the Energy Action Scotland Energy Savers Award 2009 for its high-quality work and guidance. A Best Practice guide has been written by Changeworks, a sustainable development charity and project partner, for other similar projects to follow.
Lister Housing Co-operative’s Director Alistair Cant stated that already certain tenants have achieved more than 1,000 kWh output from the solar panels that were installed. One tenant has realized 51% reduction in monthly gas bills.