SOLAR panels have been installed on the roofs of two Worcester swimming pool to help reduce both their energy bills and their carbon dioxide emissions.
Lower Wick Swimming Pool and Perdiswell Leisure Centre are both benefitting from reduced running costs, after Worcester City Council successfully applied for funding through the Government’s Swimming Pool Support Fund.
Perdiswell Leisure Centre benefitted from £195,000 of funding and Lower Wick Swimming Pool nearly £60,000.
The Lower Wick facility is already feeling the benefits of the solar panels.
Manager Andrew Massey said: “From day one the solar panels have made a real difference to the running cost of the pool – with expected savings of £1,000 per month.
“We use the solar energy generated and sell back as much energy as we can to the national grid.
“The solar panels will make a real difference to the success of the pool for many years to come.”
The first phase of the Perdiswell Leisure Centre project has been completed with solar panels added to the swimming pool roof.
The second phase – replacing the felt covering on the sports hall roof before adding further solar panels – is expected to be finished by the end of June.
Once both stages are complete the solar panels will see carbon emissions at the leisure facility reduced by 84 tonnes a year.
The county council’s communities spokesperson Lloyd Griffiths added: “We are delighted to see solar panels installed on both buildings.
“The solar panels will help drive down energy costs after a period when the rises in energy bills have been very challenging.
“That, combined with the environmental benefits of these new technologies, provide a welcome boost for these popular leisure facilities.”
