A major project to install solar technology to public buildings and homes in Barrow has been completed.
Barrow’s iconic Dock Museum has had panels installed, as have around 90 council-owned homes in the Roosegate and Yew Tree areas as part of the Low Carbon Barrow programme.
Work to install the technology began in 2022. It is predicted that the panels now operational on the roof of The Dock Museum alone will over nine tonnes of carbon every year.
This is equivalent to the emissions produced by driving 33,500 miles in a diesel car – from Land’s End to John o’Groats over 40 times.
Councillor Therese Assouad, Barrow Borough Council’s lead member for climate emergency, said: “In the past year, several Low Carbon Barrow initiatives have been completed which is excellent news.
“It’s vital that we take climate change seriously and that we all do everything we can to fight it. The installation of this solar technology will help to provide energy to the museum and to around 90 homes for years to come, reducing carbon and also helping to bring energy bills down.”
Low Carbon Barrow was launched by Barrow Borough Council in 2021 thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund and Cumbria LEP.
The scheme has included the installation of LED lighting at Barrow Park Leisure Centre and The Forum.
A total of 18 electric vehicle charging points have been installed in car parks operated by Barrow Council to improve the infrastructure network for those already using electric vehicles and to make it easier for drivers considering the change.
A grant scheme was launched to help businesses in the borough identify ways of embracing lower carbon technologies to save both energy and costs.
