The leader of Carmarthenshire County Council has heralded a major investment programme which will see the installation of solar panels on roofs of all south-facing local authority properties as “a huge boost” to tenants.

On Monday, the council’s executive board is expected to approve the scheme which will see the panels placed on 2,700 homes and 17 sheltered housing schemes across the county as well as other local authority-owned buildings.

The move comes on the back of the authority carrying out a major renovation and upgrade programme across its entire housing stock in recent years.

“This is a massive development,” said Councillor Kevin Madge.

“We have completed the maintenance programme of all our houses and we are now looking to move forward into the future.

“This is a multi-million pound project that will be of huge benefit to the county.

“Fuel poverty is a major issue for council tenants and the installation of solar panels will see a reduction in their fuel bills.

“It will make a huge difference to people’s lives while making the council greener and more eco-friendly.

“It is a win-win situation.”

On Monday, the executive board is expected to consider two funding options for the programme, a self-financing model which would require the authority to pay up front for the installation work and cover the 20-year costs of maintenance while receiving an income from the “Feed in Tariff” as power generated was funnelled in to the National Grid.

Estimated costs for the scheme have been put at £18.8million during the installation and roof-strengthening phase and a further £9.1million maintenance over the 20-year life of the panels. The estimated income over 20 years amounts to £23.5million.

The board however is expected to opt for a “rent-a-roof” funding model, which sees all installation and 20-year maintenance costs met by third-party contractors. The “rent-a-roof” scheme offers no direct income to the authority, but provides the council, the public and other organisations the chance to take up share offers which would be expected to offer a return of two-and-a-half times the initial investment over 20 years.

The “rent-a-roof” scheme allows requires contractors to create a community fund, also payable over 20 years, to address fuel poverty for tenants unable to benefit directly from the installation programme.

Both options would see a reduction in the fuel bills for tenants of the properties hosting panels.

The council’s executive board has been recommended to back the “rent-a-roof” scheme, enabling detailed discussions to being with contractors ahead of work beginning.