Guernsey parish hall installs solar panels to drive down their electricity bills

St Martin’s Constables Office
Constable Beausire told ITV News the installation should come at little cost to rate payers and should save them money in the long run. Credit: St Martin’s Constables Office

A Guernsey parish hall has installed solar panels on its roof in an attempt to reduce costs for ratepayers.

St Martin representative, Constable David Beausire, told ITV News that adding the panels has come at little cost to local people but could bring long-term benefits.

It's thought to be the first parish hall on the island to have solar panels installed.

Constable Beausire said: "We have actually done it and saved the money over a period of years. So we've had a minimal effect on the inflation increase in rates.

"We've managed to do it within that sort of budget and timescale. And hopefully going forward, it will reduce costs to the parishioners."

Panels were also installed on the toilet block outside the parish hall to help St Martin become less reliant on electricity from the grid. Credit: ITV Channel

In a joint statement, Constables David Beausire and Jeff Wilkes-Green said: "We felt it was our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint and this is a great day for St Martin to be the first parish to commit to solar power and to do our little bit for the environment.

"This has been part of a refurbishment programme throughout the parish hall, meeting room, library and offices that will make it more sustainable and reduce maintenance costs for our ratepayers going forward."

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