Georgian tenements get solar heating panels

Published on Monday 16 February 2009 09:21

PIONEERING work begins today to install solar water heating panels on the roofs of seven B-listed Georgian tenements in the historic heart of Edinburgh.

The 200,000 Renewable Heritage project will benefit Lister Housing Co-operative social housing properties. Renewable energy installations in listed properties are rare.

The panels should provide over 50 per cent of the annual hot water requirement of 49 properties.

Jenny Lewis, Chair of Lister Housing Co-operative, said: "This project will help reduce our tenants' fuel consumption, save carbon and support Scottish jobs, without in any way jeopardising our Georgian tenements."

Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage, said: "Seventy-five per cent of the buildings within the World Heritage Site are listed, so it is essential to establish good practice and pass it on to the residents who make the site such a vibrant place. This study will help dispel the myth that historic buildings are neither energy efficient, nor capable of being sensitively retrofitted with sustainable energy measures."