Worcester: Car park solar panel plan rockets in price

Members of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee had backed the project in October, with a planning application submitted this summer.

It was suggested by the council that the project could cut bills by up to £58,000 every year and increase the amount of energy produced by nearly 450%.

But a new report said: “Despite factoring in the increased electricity tariff now paid by the council… the net return on investment is 0.5%.

“Committee approved the outline business case in October 2023 on the basis of a net return of 2.5%.”

Council officers have considered closing the top floor of the car park to avoid building panels on steel frames and reducing the cost of the installation.

The original plan meant 38 spaces would be lost from the 700-space car park.