JUST two months after we revealed the UK’s largest community-owned solar rooftop had been built here in Oxfordshire, the record has been broken just miles down the road.

This massive array on the roof of UTC Aerospace systems in Banbury contains 2,590 solar panels and will generate enough energy to power 120 homes each year.

It just beats the previous record of 2,446 photovoltaic panels on the roof of motorsports firm Prodive, also in Banbury.

Both projects were co-ordinated by Oxford-based social enterprise Low Carbon Hub, and both were funded using a community benefit model.

This means ordinary people in Oxfordshire and across the UK were invited to buy shares in the solar rooftop and will get a return on their investment over its lifetime.

John England, site director at UTC Aerospace Systems, said: “Our business is at the forefront of aerospace innovation and technology and what we do inside our factory is reflected in what we do outside.

“Using our roof space to generate clean energy whilst also helping the local community is a win-win for us all.”