Arun Civic Centre solar roof underway

Four tonnes of shingle are being cleared by contractors before the roof is re-felted, ready for the photovoltaic panels to be fixed in place early next year.

It’s estimated that the panels, due to be switched on in the spring, will save cut Arun’s £70,000 annual electricity bill by almost £4,000, and reduce CO2 emissions by 26 tonnes. The council will also earn almost £15,000 a year for the power it supplies to the National Grid through the government’s Feed-in Tariff.

Councillor Dudley Wensley, Arun cabinet member for central services with responsibility for green technology and council properties, saw first-hand the works – and helped clear a bag of shingle himself.

He said: “These panels bring benefits today and for the future by generating free electricity and reducing our carbon emissions.

“As a council, we are committed to reducing our energy use and carbon footprint. It’s only right we should lead by example.”