SOLAR panels installed on a council house as part of a £28 million scheme are facing the wrong way.
The panels on the bungalow in Chirk have their back to the sun and fail to catch many rays throughout the day.
Wrexham Council, which is behind the multi-million pound scheme, said the error will be rectified at no extra cost to the authority while the contractor, social housing refurbishment specialists Forrest, has apologised for the blunder.
The tenant, Gerald Evans of Longfield, said he pointed out to workers involved with installing the panelling that it would be best suited at the front of the property where it would be exposed to the majority of the sunlight during the day.
However, they continued with the original plan of putting the panels at the rear of his home, on the roof over a bedroom and kitchen.
“It was put in place a few weeks ago. I was told the correct positioning had been assessed using a compass,” said Mr Evans, a retired labourer.
Chirk South councillor Terry Evans was contacted about the problem and took up the case on behalf of Mr Evans.
“I am supportive of the solar panel scheme, but it is very disappointing that this incident has happened,” said Cllr Evans.
“I don’t know what would have caused the people in charge to come up with the wrong position in the first place.”
Cllr Mark Pritchard, Wrexham Council’s lead member for housing, said: “I hope this is a one-off. I will look into the issue.”
A spokesman for Wrexham Council said it was aware of the mistake and contractors were in the process of rectifying it, which would be at no cost to the local authority.
She added: “The council recognises that mistakes will happen when delivering what is one of the biggest solar schemes in the UK in a short space of time.
“The key thing is to ensure we rectify the mistake, and continue to have the processes in place to ensure these mistakes are detected.”
A spokesman for Forrest added: “Unfortunately this was down to human error at the design stage for which we apologise. It will be rectified quickly at no cost to the council.”