ENERGY specialist Glevum Heating has secured a £5.5 million contract to install PV solar systems.
The Gloucester-based heating company beat 64 organisations who tendered for the contract.
A total of 640 houses in Weston- super-Mare, owned and managed by NS Housing, will be powered by solar electricity by January 2012.
It is the biggest self-funded programme of its type to date in the UK.
Director of Glevum Heating, Lee Derbidge, said: "We are delighted to be providing this service for NS Housing and their tenants and see it as offering great benefits to all the parties involved.
"Glevum Heating has worked hard over many years to gain the knowledge, experience and reputation required to enable us to win the type of contracts we are now involved with. This win only goes to show that all the hard work is now paying off."
Every system installed will reduce the carbon footprint of that property by approximately 2,000 kilograms of C02 per year, which will equate to over 1,250 tonnes of CO2 saved per year over the 640 homes.
The solar energy will also help reduce the tenant's electricity costs by approximately 30 per cent.
Payments from the Government 'Feed in Tariff' scheme will generate an income for NS Housing, allowing them to re-invest in their properties.
Tony Bebbington, the major works manager at NS Housing, said: "Glevum Heating's knowledge and expertise has been invaluable in bringing this project to fruition."
Glevum Heating is one of more than 20 firms attending Gloucestershire First's energy trade fair at Wycliffe College in Stonehouse today.
The event includes seminars from Gloucester-based Severn Controls, Stonehouse firm Sanctus Energy Ltd, county accountants Randall & Payne and WSP Solicitors, who will discuss legislation.
Glevum has further expanded its operations in the renewable energy market and employed 10 new operatives in both North Somerset and Gloucester in response to contract gains.
It was established in 1997 and has grown to employ over 60 staff.
