MORE than 3,000 solar panels – almost as large as a Premier League football pitch – have been installed on a company’s site by the council.

The panels have been placed on Plastic Omnium’s building at Omega, which forms part of the town’s investment in renewable energy schemes.

The move will generate a financial return for the authority and follows the installation of solar PV panels on social housing in the borough.

The council will own, operate and maintain the panels – effectively renting the roof space of the building.

The components will provide Plastic Omnium with discounted electricity, with all profits made by the authority through the deal to be ‘ploughed back’ into delivering vital services.

Town Hall bosses say it is estimated that the panels – which have been installed by EvoEnergy – will generate 735,000kWh of electricity each year, which is about equal to the electricity used by 200 average households per year.

Cllr Russ Bowden said it is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ to reduce carbon emissions, while working in partnership with Plastic Omnium.

He added: “We are leading the way as one of the first local authorities in the country to invest in this type of low-risk, long-term energy and income generation strategy.

“The scheme will generate a revenue income to the council over 20 years, which will be used to support essential council services.

“We are actively looking at other possible installations and assessing their feasibility for future projects.”