The Mayor is being urged to set up a Solar PV (Photovoltaic) Delivery Unit, to deploy solar panels on London’s schools and the GLA Group’s own estate.
A motion agreed by Assembly Members calls on Mayor Boris Johnson to revise his £17 billion Draft Consolidated Budget for 2015/16, to allocate funding to the proposed unit - allowing London communities to harness the clean energy source.
The Assembly welcomed the Government’s target to install solar panels on 24,000 schools and wants the Mayor to set up new community energy schemes.
Jenny Jones AM, who proposed the motion said:
"The case for a dedicated Solar PV Delivery Unit was strengthened today when the Mayor acknowledged that there is much more scope for generating solar power than he had previously thought and the Assembly, by a majority vote, gave its backing.
By helping London schools, communities and businesses cut through the barriers and get them harvesting solar electricity from their underused and empty roof tops, they will help save money on energy. It will also accelerate the urgent need to switch to clean renewable energy."
The full text of the motion is here.
Notes to editors:
The motion was agreed by 13 votes for to 12 against at a meeting of the full Assembly today. Watch the clip.
Watch the full webcast.
Jenny Jones AM who proposed the motion is available for interviews. Please see contact details below.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Mary Dolan on 020 7983 4603. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.