The Arnside Educational Institute has just completed a big refurbishment which included the installation of a new solar-powered electricity system on the roof. The 4.86 kw 'photo-voltaic' system covers approximately 40 square metres of their south-facing roof and is expected to generate more than three megawatt hours of free electricity per annum.

By generating the electricity on-site using solar power the system will save more than two tonnes of carbon dioxide per year compared with electricity produced in a conventional fossil-fuel power station.

The Institute is having a formal opening ceremony to be conducted by local MP Tim Farron on Friday, September 5, at 4pm when there will be more information available on the project.

Almost all of the costs of the system came from a mixture of grants including a government grant of £12,605 and £9,500 from the Arnside and Silverdale Sustainable Development Fund.

The system was designed and installed by Cumbria-based renewable energy specialists Sundog Energy Ltd. Sundog have also recently installed similar government grant supported systems on other sites in South Lakeland including Queen Katherine School in Kendal and the Coronation Hall at Grayrigg.

Andy Mason, sales manager with Sundog, said: "There are currently big grants available for the installation of renewable energy on community buildings such as village halls, churches and schools.

"In some cases it is possible for community projects to get100 per cent funding for these types of project.

" However the grants won't last long and, sadly, the North West is not getting its fair share of the money.

"Sundog has produced a guide to getting grants for these projects and would urge community groups and schools interested in putting solar power or wind turbines on their buildings at heavily grant-funded rates to request a copy from us."

Andy will be attending the Arnside Educational Institute opening ceremony and will be able to offer advice to others interested in exploring renewable technologies at the event.