SOLAR panels have been installed on the Haslemere Town Council (HTC) managed toilet block in the High Street car park.

In September 2019 the town council declared a climate and biodiversity emergency, which included a commitment to facilitate the reduction of greenhouse gases and to becoming a carbon-neutral organisation by 2030.

The council had already installed an energy efficient heating and cooling system at the town hall – and the toilet block solar panels were installed last Friday (February 4).

Cllrs John Robini, Claire Matthes, Jacquie Keen, Melanie Odell, David Round, Terry Weldon and town hall open spaces officer Martin Wellen met at the toilets to see for themselves how the new system works.

The town council hopes the solar panels will produce a proportion of HTC’s electricity consumption directly from renewable energy, and support HTC’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

The town council also hopes the solar panels will raise awareness of the commitment and intent of HTC to tackle the climate emergency, and inspire residents who may wish to take similar measures at their own properties.

HTC has an annual fund of £10,000 through its green grants initiative, which is allocated to support sustainability-related projects in and around Haslemere.