Community centre puts in solar panels

9:13am Friday 27th April 2007

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They'll be hoping for more sunshine at the West Oxford Community Centre from now on.

The centre in Botley Road has become the first in the city - and among the first in the country - to install solar panels.

They are expected to generate about 10 per cent of the centre's energy needs each year, which will equate to annual fuel bill savings of up to £500.

Athene Reiss, from the West Oxford Community Association, said: "We hope the prominent position of the community centre will draw people's attention to the real possibility of making a difference to climate change through individual and collective actions. We hope the panels will inspire everyone who passes by to investigate alternative energy sources.

"This project shows a real willingness among the West Oxford community to make a start in tackling the issue of carbon emissions and energy use."

Susanna Pressel, ward councillor for Jericho and Osney and a member of the West Oxford Community Association, said: "I'm so glad the city council was able to help with this excellent project. It is the first community centre in the city and one of the first in the country to do anything like this."

The project was funded by contributions from Oxford City Council's Central, South and West Area Committee, the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment, the Department for Trade and Industry and West Oxford Community Association.

It is hoped it will be completed by the summer and is being managed by the West Oxford Community Association, which wants to demonstrate to others the potential of alternative energy sources.

Alan Armitage, the city council's executive member for a healthier environment, said: "West Oxford Community Centre is an ideal high-profile site for solar panels and we are delighted to see this project going ahead."