The first batch of homes in the borough have been equipped with solar panels, funded by green grants from Islington Council. <br><br>Families who applied to the council's £3million Climate Change Fund are now powering their properties with renewable energy. <br><br>Panels have been installed at homes in N5, N4 and N19. <br><br>More residents will soon be joining them – and householders are being urged to come forward to take advantage of the grants. <br><br>One resident to benefit is mum-of-two Joana Teague, an education worker, whose house has been fitted with panels which generate electricity and heat water. <br><br>She said; "Instead of complaining about increasing fuel costs, we decided to do something practical about it.<br><br>"Of course, it costs money to start with. But our solar panels will hopefully add value to the house -- and we reckon the pay-back period has already potentially gone down from 20 to 12 years, because of further predicted price rises."<br><br>Partner Alan Sutton, a charity worker, said: "We've made our home more fuel efficient, but also we're talking here about fuel security. People are coming round to the idea that supplies aren't going to last forever.<br><br>"But, as long as the sun's in the sky, we'll still have hot water and electricity.<br><br>"It's unlikely we'd have gone ahead with this if Islington Council didn't provide the grants." <br><br>Partner Alan Sutton, a charity worker, said: "We've made our home more fuel efficient, but also we're talking here about fuel security. People are coming round to the idea that supplies aren't going to last forever. <br><br>"As long as the sun's in the sky, we'll still have hot water and electricity. <br><br>"It's unlikely we'd have gone ahead with this if Islington Council didn't provide the grants."<br><br>Cllr Greg Foxsmith, Islington Council's Executive Member for Environment, said: "We've set aside money to help pay for solar panels on people's homes and we hope more residents will come forward to take advantage of this. <br><br>"We give people a helping hand from the moment they apply, right through the whole process." <br><br>Islington Council set up its award-winning £3 million Climate Change Fund to support green energy and transport projects to reduce carbon emissions. <br><br>Residents who are interested in grants can visit the Green Living Centre at 222 Upper Street for more information, or call 0800 953 1221. <br><br>ENDS <br><br>For more information please call Chris Weeks on 020 7527 3032 or 07825 098804 <br><br>PICTURE: Alan Sutton and Joanna Teague celebrate installation of their solar panels with a solar-powered cup of tea
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009