SOLAR power could prove to be a ray of light for South Lakeland's economy after renewable energy plans get the go ahead from councillors.

A scheme to install solar panels on the roof of South Lakeland District Council's (SLDC) main office were approved at a cabinet meeting in Staveley yesterday (Wednesday, March 25).

This comes as around 1,500 properties across South Lakeland could also be fitted with solar panels as the district council looks to reduce the area's carbon footprint and save money.

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The panels on South Lakeland House, Kendal, are believed to cost in the region of £60,000 but will pay for themselves in nine years' time and save the district council £122,000 during their 20 year life span by selling excess energy back to the National Grid.

They will also save more than 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the future.

The system will be rigged-up to a display system in the reception area of South Lakeland House so its productivity can be monitored.

SLDC has pledged to bring 1,000 affordable homes onto the rental market by 2025 and, according to Peter Thornton, leader of the district council, 'a good proportion of them' are earmarked to be fitted with solar panels.

Property company Two Castles is part of the 1,000 affordable homes scheme and are building 32 new affordable homes in South Lakeland in 2015/16.

This includes 11 in Grasmere, seven in Coniston and 14 on Windermere Road in Kendal - all of which will include solar panels.

South Lakes Housing have got involved by fitting 10 solar panels on their latest Kirkby Lonsdale development at Jubilee Close, as well already 'retro-fitting' 60 existing properties with the energy-saving devices.

With plans to retro-fit more existing properties, the number of houses with money-spinning solar panels could exceed 1,500 within 10 years.

Cllr Thornton said: "Solar panels hit two of our targets. It gives us a good return on an investment and it tackles the climate change issue. If we can help save the planet and save the council's budget why wouldn't we do it?"

The plans have generated support from the Green Party parliamentary candidate Chris Loynes, who said: "I think it's a great thing. I hope there'll be enough to make a difference for household bills and the price of fuel.

"It's a really good thing to be bringing the production of energy closer to the consumer so people are involved in small scale energy production.

"It will help to reduce the carbon footprint and I'm particularly delighted if it's on new builds.

"I hope it will encourage private developers to do the same so we can generate more energy in a renewable way.

"At the moment solar panels are one of the most effective ways to generate renewable energy and they might reduce the amount of onshore wind farms."

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Kendal Civic Society are also in favour of the scheme because strict planning regulations mean it is highly unlikely that solar panels could be fitted to a historic building.

Secretary of the civic society, Patricia Hovey, said: "We did discuss it but if somebody wanted to put it on a Georgian building they wouldn't get planning permission. They shouldn't be reflective so they shine if you look down on them from Scout Scar or Kendal Castle. If it saves people money then it's fine - I just hope the sun keeps shining!"