Legal, tax, ownership and feasibility issues are just four of the many challenges facing social housing providers considering green energy schemes, such as solar pv panel installations. This is according to Croftons Solicitors LLP, who hosted the first forum for key players in the sector.
At the recent discussion forum full to capacity, social housing providers, sector advisers and leading contractors weighed up the pros and cons of even embarking on a green energy scheme in the light of the many complexities which add time and cost to any scheme.
Lucy Worrall, specialist social housing partner at Croftons Solicitors said:
"The irony is that green energy schemes are designed to save money, reduce the carbon footprint and encourage the use of new types of power for every day utility needs.
"Yet, social housing providers who have dipped their toe in the waters of schemes, such as a solar panele, have faced a minefield of issues they had not anticipated."
At the Croftons event, attendees heard presentations by Lucy Worrall, Mark Seaborn (Managing Director, Pennington Choices - surveyors and consultants), Paul Gerrard (Lead Development Manager, St Vincent's Housing Association Ltd - which is pioneering a solar panel scheme) and Carol Brackley and Jim Gempton (PKF Accountants - discussing tax and VAT implications).
The main themes arising from the forum included:
The unanimous view amongst speakers and attendees was that installing solar panels may sound pretty straight forward but it is massively complex.
Lucy Worrall added:
"This is far more complex process than routine maintenance, or upgrading work, or even new builds. While the end result of solar pv panels schemes may be financially beneficial and great news for tenants, the time and resource involved in working through the issues have taken social landlords by surprise.
"Furthermore, as green energy schemes become more popular, the issues actually become more complex and there are new issues arising all the time. It really is uncharted territory from a legal perspective."
There will be further similar events through 2011 and 2012 - for details telephone Lucy Worrall on 0161 214 4829.
