Community hall in Cam is benefiting from solar panels

A COMMUNITY hall is set to benefit from the power of the sun with a new roof of solar panels.

The environmentally friendly technology has been installed on the Wintherbotham Memorial Hall, in Cam, and with the last few weeks of sunshine the panels are proving to be a big success.

Jeremy Clutterbuck, a member of the memorial hall committee, said it was already producing enough electricity for the hall and more.

"It is working brilliantly already, We have had some really sunny days and it has been working at full capacity, but even on cloudy days it still produces some power," said Mr Clutterbuck.

The green technology should power all the lights and other electrical equipment in the hall, cutting carbon emission by about four tonnes annually.

Inside the hall a live display system will show how much solar electricity has been generated and how much carbon dioxide has been saved.

Any surplus electricity will be exported off site, providing an income and savings of about £2,000 each year, which can be invested back into the community hall.

Dr Keith Pearce, a member of the memorial hall committee leader of the solar energy project, said: "The project is part of our overall effort in the village to reduce energy use. It is well worth the effort.

"Our building is situated by the busy A4135 and presents an opportunity to show thousands of people what can be done to reduce our impact on the environment."

The £64,000 cost of the solar panels was met by £31,000 from the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, £21,500 from Stroud District Council’s Cheers programme, £9,500 from EDF Energy’s Green Fund and £2,000 from Cam Parish Council.

The solar panel project fits into Cam Parish Council’s ongoing project to reduce the community’s energy use.

Hundreds of low energy light bulbs have been distributed around the village and the parish was also the first to pilot a scheme which involved switching off one in every three street lights in the early hours of the morning.

John Hudson, chairman of Cam Parish Council, said: "There is always something people can do to reduce their energy use, from insulating their home to changing their habits, without their lifestyle suffering. Anyone can act now to reduce their carbon footprint – we just want to inspire people to do it."