Getting FiT at Middleton Arena

The installation of the solar panels is underway at Middleton Arena

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Photovoltaic panels that are being installed on the roof of the Middleton Arena this week are expected to generatie 194MWh of electricity each year – around 10% to 15% of the Arena’s power usage and enough to save 102 tonnes of CO2 a year.

The solar panels will be connected directly into the Arena and the electricity generated from Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton solar panels sold back to Link4Life to power the sports complexes. This means the council and Link4Life benefit from the Feed in Tariff (FiT) – providing a guaranteed income per kWh of electricity generated. The tariff will provide an on-going financial boost and will help the council to protect vital frontline services.

Councillor Richard Farnell, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We are leading the way as a ‘green’ authority and this solar farm is another step towards meeting our goal. By being forward-thinking, we have ensured the council has an additional revenue stream and can become more energy self-sufficient in a time where fuel bills are on the rise.”

Chief Executive, Gillian Bishop at Link4Life confirmed the benefits the new initiative will bring. She said: “Link4Life has a robust energy reduction programme and this latest improvement at Middleton Arena plays an important part in supporting that. The benefits that come from reduced costs support continued investment and improvement in the services we provide.”

As part of the Greater Manchester Climate Change Strategy, Rochdale Council has agreed to a 48 per cent CO2 emission cut by 2020. Rochdale Green Action Plan is the council’s overarching sustainability strategy – which highlights a strong ambition to work with green energy generators. It is hoped that encouraging such long-term investments will create new jobs and set Rochdale as Greater Manchester’s green energy hub.

By generating income from renewable energy, the Council could generate new revenue streams, fund municipal services, put land assets to work, underwrite energy security and offset soaring energy prices, as well as fulfil its renewable power and carbon reduction obligations.