Buckinghamshire County Council targets solar panel savings

A council is hoping to save £150,000 by putting 116 solar panels on its buildings.

The panels installed on the Buckinghamshire County Council buildings should generate enough electricity to make an estimated 140,000 cups of tea a year.

The savings are expected to be made over the course of 25 years.

The panels have been installed on the flat roof of offices in Aylesbury and at Aston Clinton waste centre.

The panels have been installed as part of a government scheme, which has been introduced to encourage the production of renewable energy by householders and businesses by providing cash benefits.

The council will be guaranteed a payment for every unit of electricity generated by them, giving a return of between 13% and 16% on the investment.

Steven Adams, the council's cabinet member for environment, said: "Energy saving measures like this are good for the environment and good for the Buckinghamshire council taxpayer.

"I hope to be able to install many more across the council estate in the future."

The panels, costing £52,000, were installed by a Buckinghamshire renewable energy company.