Moray Council hopes solar panels at Elgin Library, council HQ and Ashgrove Depot can save £40,000 per year

Installing solar panels on prominent council-owned buildings could save the local authority £40,000 every year.

That’s what councillors in Moray who approved plans to explore investment in solar panels believe and hope.

The idea is that electricity can be generated from council-owned buildings, saving money and cutting carbon emissions.

While an initial spend of £250,000 would be required, it is hoped that £40,000 would be saved per annum.

Panels would be placed on prominent buildings, beginning with Elgin Library, the high street council headquarters annexe and Ashgrove Depot.

Speaking after the approval of full council, Moray Council leader, Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative), said: “This is exactly the type of innovative spend to save measures we’re keen to explore further.

“We need to be creative in how we view future spending within the council, but when it ties in with our Net Zero ambitions and has the potential to save on costs in the long-run, we absolutely need to be considering projects like this.

“I look forward to seeing how it progresses.”

Approved at the same meeting was a switch to LED lighting in council buildings.

Starting with HQ, Annexe and Ashgrove Depot the phasing out of fluorescent light bulbs and upgrading to LED could save around £600,000 a year as well as contribute to energy efficiency.

The council spent £3.5m on electricity across its estate in 2023/24.

The investment of £4.6m in the first phase of upgrades will also improve working conditions for staff and help the council’s progression to net zero.