The sun was shining on Banister House, Homerton, as its new solar panels were unveiled last Saturday. Repowering London’s latest project is the first community-owned solar panel initiative in Hackney and the largest community energy project on social housing in the UK.
Leila Fortunato, a resident of the estate and one of the directors on the project, said: “Before I started this project all I could think about was how to get off this estate.”
Repowering London Youth Training Programme gives the those aged14-24 years old an opportunity to get involved in all the different stages of the project from development to installing solar panels on the roof. The project will give power to 387 flats and involve 34 youth interns. The interns commit to a minimum of two hours of work a week and are paid at least the national minimum wage.
Agamemnon Otero, CEO of Repowering London, said that the solar panels will be used to power all communal areas on the estate. The money saved from this renewable energy will go toward a collective fund.
Ms Fortunato added: “This project is something I feel is a really worthy cause that will benefit us as a community and provide further opportunities for our young people in the long run.”
Photo by: Tal Fox
