Acorns lets in the sun with help of solar firm (From Malvern Gazette)

Acorns lets in the sun with help of solar firm

12:30pm Tuesday 24th April 2012 in Business News By Mike Pryce

ACORNS Children’s Hospice in Bath Road, Worcester, and Solar Solutions Malvern held a party to celebrate the installation of solar panels on the roof of the hospice to generate free electricity.

Solar Solutions, a social enterprise specialising in renewable energy, has installed the panels free of charge and donated the feed-in tariff income to the hospice.

This gift will be worth a total of £40,000 to the hospice over the next 25 years and it has been donated to help the charity reduce its fuel bills.

In addition to the savings it will be making, Acorns will be leading the way in reducing its carbon footprint and helping to combat climate change.

David McCann, director at Solar Solutions Malvern, said: “One reason for setting up our company was so that we could put something back into the community.

“We invest about 20 per cent of our profits in local good causes. We think Acorns Children’s Hospice is very deserving of our support.

“Installing solar panels is still a very good investment despite the recent reduction in the feed-in tariff. Prices for installation are half what they were when the feed-in tariff was introduced so Solar Solutions can still get householders a return of 10 to 12 per cent on their investment. The returns are even higher for business and commercial clients, who can use all the electricity they generate.”

Peter Morris, head of care at Acorns for the Three Counties (Worcester), said: “Fuel bills are a major cost for us so something that enables us to cut them is a fantastic gift that will make a real long term difference.”