A village community near Peterborough is benefitting from new solar panels at a popular facility, which have been installed thanks to a sustainable energy scheme.
Peterborough City Council previously announced that it was awarding funding to Marholm Village Hall Trust, Wansford Parish Council and Northborough Parish Council.
The funding has been provided by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority as part the Net Zero Villages initiative. As a result, solar panels will be installed on buildings owned by the groups, as part of the council’s ongoing work to reduce carbon emissions locally.
Panels were recently installed at Wansford Community Hall and members of the Parish Council who own the building have already noticed a positive difference.
Richard Clarke, Chairman of Wansford Parish Council, said: “The panels and the energy that they are producing are perfect for the building and the groups that use it. The system is working well as it ran the heating completely for a two-hour booking recently and it is now busily recharging even on a cloudy day.
“We may also benefit financially from selling any energy we don’t use back to the National Grid, so in future we could potentially have a zero energy bill. The hall is used by groups including the Women’s Institute, an arts and crafts group, Parish Council meetings and children’s parties and this will ensure they can continue to enjoy using the building at modest cost. I would like to thank the council and Combined Authority for delivering this positive project."
Councillor Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “I'm delighted that this popular facility is now benefitting from the Net Zero Villages scheme and I’m sure this will have a positive effect in Wansford for many years to come. It will especially help local community groups, as energy costs will be reduced.
“We remain fully committed to working with partners and community groups to help reduce carbon emissions in Peterborough and the surrounding areas and we are making good progress with this ongoing vital work.”
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow said: "This Combined Authority funding is about helping our communities to thrive. Village halls like Wansford’s are at the heart of local life and helping them lower their bills helps make more money available for the things that matter like activities, improvements and keeping hire costs affordable. And if they're generating surplus energy to sell back to the grid, even better.
“When valued village halls and community facilities can operate sustainably, everyone benefits."