HIGHLAND Council plans are looking to build solar farms on five sites which could make almost £120 million.
The proposals to build the sites at Inverness, Wick, Brora and Tain, would need a potential investment of more than £28m – and could save almost 18m kilograms of CO2 from being pumped into the atmosphere.
The proposals were given the go ahead at the council’s redesign board, according to the Inverness Courier.
And since the council owns a portfolio of commercial properties, they could develop a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and establish and operate a solar array on tenanted buildings in return for the agreed purchase of all energy generated.
A spokesman told the Inverness Courier: “Solar is deployed across the council estate comprising of systems directly connected to properties owned and operated by the council.
“Self-generation sites are best described as energy assets. Operated correctly they can demonstrate significant cost-saving benefits to the council.”
Beyond solar panels on buildings, the proposal is looking to establish solar arrays at five sites including in Brora, Tain and Wick.
Inverness has one potential site at Torvean and another on the Longman.