Solar energy on show in Lisbellaw!

2 Jul 2010

In Northern Ireland the weather might be unpredictable but one couple from Lisbellaw are looking forward to a sunnier future! Thanks to some funding support from the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) SMART Programme, Mr and Mrs Armstrong have installed a solar water heating system on the south facing roof of their home.



The solar panels will contribute to the household’s hot water requirements helping to reduce their heating bills and will go a long way in helping to reduce their carbon footprint. The solar panels were funded through the NIE ‘top-up’ scheme in parallel with the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Stream 1 Funding which closed for applications on the 24th May 2010.



Following the closure of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, the NIE SMART Programme is delighted to announce their continued support for solar water heating in Northern Ireland. From the beginning of June 2010 householders can apply for £400 towards the cost of a solar water heating system. Terms and conditions do apply and please log on to www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk for more details.



Mrs Armstrong says, “We have always been conscious of doing our part to protect the local environment and have been striving to make our home more sustainable. Thanks to the solar panels we are not only making considerable savings on our heating bill but it feels good to be embracing a renewable ‘clean’ energy. The additional grant support available from the NIE SMART programme certainly gave us the incentive to install the solar panels and we were very pleased with how quick and easy they were to install.”



Sarah Beldon visited Mr and Mrs Armstrong’s home this week to see the solar panels in action. She is delighted to see local homeowners installing renewable energy technologies. “I am really pleased to see homeowners incorporating energy saving renewable technologies in their homes. A solar water heating system is capable of providing up to 60% of a household’s hot water needs every year, so significant savings can be made on heating bills. We hope that this example in Lisbellaw will encourage more homeowners to recognise the economic and environmental benefits of using renewable energy and invest in sustainable energy solutions. ”



To find out more about saving energy and renewable energy solutions for your home, school or business check out the NIE Energy website www.nie-yourenergy.co.uk . The NIE SMART Programme is funded by Northern Ireland Electricity and managed by NIE Energy.

back to news page | top