MORE than £1,000 has been raised over the past year by state-of-the-art solar panels.

The solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), were installed on the roof of the Guildhall in February last year by Chard Town Council.

The panels generated £1,016.07 in their first 12 months, with £829.61 of income produced from the energy generated and £186.46 worth of energy being sold back to the supplier.

The solar panels, which cost the council £13,546, are predicted to have made that money back within eight to 10 years.

Cllr Andy Kenton, who spearheaded the project, said: “As I was the one that suggested and pushed through the solar panels on the Guildhall, I have been watching their performance over the last year.

“I was obviously pleased that we received more than £1,000 from the FIT, but also just as important is the amount of electricity used by the council, especially during the summer, was greatly reduced improving our carbon footprint.

“It is hard to put a figure on this as the price of electricity rose during the last year, however, the electricity bill for the council was lower this year than the previous one.”

Solar electricity is green renewable energy and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants.

Solar panel electricity systems, also known as solar photovoltaics (PV), capture the sun’s energy using photovoltaic cells.

These cells don’t need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a cloudy day.

The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

Speaking at the launch in 2016, Cllr Kenton said: “We are expecting about a 13 per cent return, so we will be paid back within eight to 10 years, and then the following eight to 10 years we will make many thousands of pounds, as well as free electricity.

“It was about four years ago I suggested that we put some solar panels in for several reasons.

“We had money invested in an account which would give us a one per cent return. These solar panels will give us a 10 to 12 per cent return.

“Being a listed building, the work was done sympathetically, and if you walk by you wouldn’t see them.”

Zoe Truong, town clerk, said: “Chard Town Council is overjoyed to be able make this money for the town while reducing its carbon footprint.”

The council voted to carry out this work in an effort to be more cost-efficient – not only saving money on the electricity bills at The Guildhall by using solar power, but also making use of the UK government’s feed-in tariff scheme that pays you for the electricity you generate, even if you use it.