Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is among the first in the UK to install solar panels on one of its fire engines as part of a new trial, supporting efforts to help the county become carbon neutral.
A solar panel has been installed on one of the engines based at Gloucester North Station as part of a 12-month trial which started in September 2021, in the hope of providing a cleaner and more environmentally friendly source of energy during daylight hours.
Gloucestershire County Council announced plans to expand its fleet with new, greener fire engines over the next three years – but whether the solar panel system will continue after the initial trial will be determined by monitoring solar energy production and fuel savings, plus increased battery life and general performance.
Councillor Dave Norman, cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service is to be applauded for taking this step to help reduce its carbon footprint and I hope the trial proves to be successful.
‘We all need to play a part in tackling climate change and it’s great to see that GFRS is leading by example.’
