Gravesham Borough Advised On PV Housing Projects
South East law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore has advised longstanding client Gravesham Borough Council in connection with a project involving the installation of solar panels on Council owned housing. The council has entered into an agreement with Emotion Energy Solar Limited to install and maintain solar panels on approximately 200 council owned homes across the Borough, with further agreements anticipated to lift this number to at least 800.
Thomson Snell & Passmore worked in partnership with the council to complete this pilot project which will reduce energy bills for council tenants and lower household carbon emissions therefore reducing harm to the environment.
Gravesham Borough Council is one of just a handful of councils in the country to have introduced a system whereby roof space is rented to an energy company rather than funding the scheme themselves.
Emotion Energy Solar Limited has a 20 year contract to install, repair and replace the solar panels. The housing tenants will benefit from the free electricity produced with any excess being sold back to the National Grid, thereby generating a profit to fund the scheme.
Following completion of this pilot the council will now evaluate and consider rolling out the project across more of its housing stock. The Council and Emotion Energy undertook extensive consultation with council tenants and are pleased to have successfully completed the pilot.
Richard Ellard Partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore advised the council and was assisted by another Commercial Property Partner Joanne Wright.
Commenting on the deal, Ellard said,"We are delighted to work with Gravesham in connection with this project. This was a complex pilot and it was vital we worked in partnership with the council in order to bring the scheme to a financial close when necessary. We wish Gravesham the best of the luck with the pilot and look forward to working with them in the future."
Kevin Burbidge, Director (Housing & Regeneration) Gravesham Borough Council said, "It was invaluable to have Thomson Snell & Passmore working with council's in-house legal team on a project of this size and complexity. Richard and his team complemented the council's resources by bringing additional expertise and experience without which the project would not have completed on time. We look forward to working with the firm in the future."
Emotion Energy was advised by Laurence Lacey at Clarke Wilmott LLP.
