Making a significant step towards reducing its carbon footprint, Cotswold District Council is investing in photovoltaic solar panels to be installed at its offices in Cirencester.
Funded by the Cotswold Climate Investment, which launched in 2022, the new solar panel installation is just part of the council's strategy to combat climate change by reducing its own carbon footprint as it aims to reach net-zero by 2030.
The installation contributes to its ongoing efforts to achieve 100 per cent clean energy across all its operations, following the introduction of solar panels and other low carbon technologies at council-run leisure centres in Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water last year.
As well as being more environmentally friendly, the solar panels will also prove to be financially beneficial; they are predicted to reduce the council's CO2 emissions by up to 43 tonnes each year, resulting in energy cost savings for taxpayers.
Councillor Mike McKeown, cabinet member for climate change and sustainability at Cotswold District Council, said: 'Solar investment is a significant step for the council in meeting its clean energy targets, insulating against dramatic fluctuations in the energy market and importantly limiting the amount of fossil fuel energy being used to run council buildings.
'The council is delighted to collaborate with EcoVision Asset Management, a Gloucestershire-based company, to deliver this project, which is expected to be completed in the coming months.'
