Tiny percentage of government buildings have solar panels 

Earlier this year Manx Utilities was granted approval for 1,200 panels (735kW) on the NSC

Approximately 1.3 percent of government-owned buildings currently have solar panels installed, based on 11 buildings from an estate of approximately 825.

That figure was provided by Infrastructure Minister Jason Moorhouse in a written answer to Glenfaba and Peel MHK Katryna Baptist. 

Mr Moorhouse said there are currently no plans for a significant increase in installations across the government estate in the short term. 

He added: "While PV will continue to be considered where it is technically and financially appropriate, the operating profile of many government buildings means that the electricity generated does not always align sufficiently with periods of demand to provide an attractive financial return. 

"The department is, however, currently working with Manx Utilities to explore the potential for a direct to-grid solar array at the NSC."

Earlier this year Manx Utilities was granted approval for 1,200 panels (735kW) on the NSC roof. 

Mr Moorhouse said that instead of a standalone programme solar panels will be 'one element of its wider programme to decarbonise Government buildings'.

He added: "A decarbonisation roadmap has been developed covering 336 buildings and identifying potential retrofit requirements and investment priorities through to 2050. 

"The roadmap considers an investment pathway of approximately £5 million per annum across the wider decarbonisation of the estate and is not a dedicated solar PV budget.

"Investment will be prioritised across a range of measures, including insulation, LED lighting, building controls, low-carbon heating and, where appropriate, solar PV."

In response to the part of Mrs Baptist's question which centred on a payback period, Mr Moorhouse said there isn't a single period that can be applied, adding 'immediate focus is on those decarbonisation measures that provide the strongest financial and carbon benefit across the estate'.