Rayne Village Hall installs 30 solar panels to reduce carbon footprint

Rayne Village Hall fitted 30 solar panels after receiving a grant from the Climate Action Challenge Fund.

The Essex County Council fund was launched in July 2021 in response to the Essex Climate Action Commission's Net Zero: Making Essex Carbon Neutral report.

The report made recommendations on how organisations, businesses, local communities and residents can work together to make Essex a net zero county by 2050.

A total of £500,000 was allocated to groups and organisations to help them take action on climate change.

The solar panels were installed to help reduce the carbon footprint in the county (Image: N/A)

Trustee Tony Dome said: “The solar panels will help us continue with our work in reducing our carbon footprints.

“This work will also hopefully mean we can try and keep our hiring prices as low as possible moving forward.”

Due to further interest coming from other councils and homeowners, the village hall is hosting an open day to talk about the work and how they can reduce their carbon footprint.

There were 30 solar panels installed in total (Image: N/A)

Mr Dome said: “There have been many enquiries about solar panels made directly to us or the Rural Community Council of Essex from other village halls, parish and district councils, plus many private individuals about their own homes.

“We have therefore decided to have a community open morning.

“It will allow everyone the chance to see the works we have had completed, understand more about how we can all reduce our carbon footprint whilst helping the environment.

“We have asked the installers of the equipment to attend and join us so we can all answer any questions you may have regarding solar panels and how they can help everyone.”

The solar panels on the Rayne Village Hall were installed by Solar Power (GB) ltd (Image: N/A)

The open morning will take place on Wednesday, March 8 at Rayne Village Hall between 10am and 1pm.