Historic market to get solar panels

SOLAR panels are expected to be installed on Barnstaple’s historic pannier market as part of a drive to save money and reduce carbon emissions from council-owned buildings.

- ALISON STEPHENSON

North Devon Council is planning solar panels on four properties which will give it the greatest potential for cost savings long term - Bynsworthy Environment Centre, Green Lanes Shopping Centre, Barnstaple Bus Station and the 170-year-old Grade II listed pannier market.

The council has identified nine of its 29 sites that would be suitable for solar with an estimated installation cost of just under one million pounds.

The payback period would be between four and 11 years potentially saving more than 75 tonnes of carbon every year, a report to the authority's strategy and resources committee heard this week.