It’s a simple idea, but brilliant. Installing solar panels on canopies at leisure centres and public car parks – aimed at cutting the local authority power bills and reducing carbon emissions.

The carports at council-owned leisure centres in parts of East Yorkshire could potentially save £100,000 a year on electricity bills.

Such installations could cut CO2 emissions by 426 tonnes over the next 25 years

‘This is a fantastic scheme to reduce our carbon footprint in an innovative way and use our existing council-owned facilities.’ commented local councillor Paul West.

The solar panels are expected to deliver 430,650 kW of electricity per year – along with battery storage capability, at a cost of £900,000.

The government-owned energy company Great British Energy contributed £350,000 to the project.