Solar power boost for 1,000 south Norfolk homes

The photo-voltaic (PV) panels are part of a pilot project in south Norfolk

A Norfolk housing association is investing more than £7m in solar-powered energy for 1,000 of its 4,600 homes.

Saffron Housing Trust will install photo-voltaic (PV) panels on the roofs of the properties in south Norfolk.

The association estimates tenants with an average electricity bill could save £125 a year.

Not all homes will be eligible and one of the main criteria for the free solar panels will be a south facing property.

The roofs also have to be big enough to take a number of panels, have the right slope and not be shaded by large trees or other buildings.

Saffron will take advantage of the government's Feed-in tariff scheme which encourages investment in low carbon electricity in return for guaranteed payment for the electricity generated and exported.