The installation of the panels, which are called photovoltaic (PV) systems, significantly improves energy efficiency, and can save approximately 0.8 tonnes of C02 per year for every home. PV roofs also reduce the cost of energy throughout the day, bringing down costs for tenants.

Working with a specialist contractor, Mears Group is currently installing 14 PV roofs a week and is on target to complete the upgrade of 1,000 homes next year. The delivery of this contract supports Aberdeenshire Council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan, which focuses on delivering high quality, energy efficient affordable housing in the region.

Marcus Hainey, general manager at Mears Group, said: “As a company we have more than 25 years’ experience of delivering maintenance contracts across social housing, and recent years have seen us focussing more on improving energy efficiency. With an increase in the cost of living, reducing household bills is more important than ever, and PV roofing has proven to reduce costs for the council and tenants.

“Improving energy efficiency across housing is also key to ensuring the UK meets its sustainability targets, and we have found PV panels to be a great solution which reduce carbon emissions, bringing massive environmental benefits.”

A spokesperson for Aberdeenshire Council added: “Aberdeenshire Council is committed to undertaking energy efficiency improvements to help reduce running costs, carbon emissions and the energy used in our council houses and flats as part of our improvement works plan. We are very pleased to be working with various partners, including Mears, to install a number of energy efficient measures within our homes and deliver measurable benefits to our tenants, and we are currently applying for additional funding to allow further improvement works to be undertaken.”