A community hall in Cam is being fitted with nearly 80 solar panels which will generate all of the electricity used by the building.

Installers are currently fitting the solar energy system on the roof of the Arthur S Winterbotham Memorial Hall. In a few more days the scaffolding will come down and the wraps will come off as the equipment is ready to be switched on.

Green electricity generated by the system will power all the lights and other electrical equipment. Every year the project will generate about 9,450 units of electricity, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by about four tonnes annually.

Inside the hall a live display system will show how much solar electricity has been generated and how much carbon dioxide has been saved. The panels will generate more electricity than the hall can use. Any surplus electricity will be exported off site, providing an income and savings of about £2,000 each year, which can be invested for the benefit of the community.

Dr Keith Pearce, who led the solar energy project, said: “We are very excited to see the solar panels going up on our roof and we look forward to generating our own electricity. The project is part of our overall effort in the village to reduce energy use. It is well worth the effort. Our building is situated by the busy A4135 and presents an opportunity to show thousands of people what can be done to reduce our impact on the environment.”

The £64,000 cost of the renewable energy project was met by £31,000 from the Government’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, £21,500 from Stroud District Council’s Cheers programme, £9,500 from EDF Energy’s Green Fund and £2,000 from Cam Parish Council.

Jo Steven, who leads EDF Energy’s Green Fund, said: “We are proud to support this project at the memorial hall which will encourage interest in renewable energy technology. The solar panels are an exciting feature of this community building. We hope this project will leave a lasting legacy on the environment by increasing awareness about renewable energy and perhaps inspire visitors and passers-by to consider how each of them can also take action to reduce their own impact on the environment. Not all of us can install solar panels but we can all reduce our carbon footprint.”

Stroud District Council, which provided a large part of the project costs, said it was delighted that the work had now begun. Councillor Libby Bird, Cabinet member for the Environment, said: “Funding the Cheers scheme has been a great way for us to give important community buildings the opportunity to become more energy efficient. The installation of solar panels will benefit not only the environment but also the community as a whole. Given the current financial climate, the prospect of lower energy bills and additional income for the hall is a great achievement.”

The solar energy project at the hall fits into the parish council’s project to reduce the community’s energy use. Hundreds of low energy light bulbs have been distributed via the project and all householders were invited to take part in an energy audit. Information on the parish initiatives, including hints on how to reduce energy use, are available from the Parish Shop, in High Street. The council was also one of the first to adopt an energy efficiency programme that involves switching off one in every three street lights in the early hours of the morning.

John Hudson, chairman of Cam Parish Council, said: “There is always something people can do to reduce their energy use, from insulating their home to changing their habits, without their lifestyle suffering. Anyone can act now to reduce their carbon footprint – we just want to inspire people to do it.”

The hall’s management committee plans to build on its success in the months ahead. Following an energy audit by Severn Wye Energy Agency, they have improved the draught proofing and insulated the cavity walls. The committee is now building up funds to invest in a more efficient boiler and heating system.

EDF Energy has awarded £3.7million to 221 renewable energy projects since the Green Fund was launched in 2001, including £1.3million to 89 projects in schools, nurseries and colleges. The fund supports renewable energy projects which produce power from the sun, wind, water and geothermal sources that reduce the greenhouse gases linked to global warming. Awards of up to £30,000 are available for projects in Great Britain and such funds have helped schools, charities, local authorities, churches, water mills and other non-profit organisations to generate clean, green energy in their own community.

In June 2007 EDF Energy launched the biggest package of environmental pledges to reduce carbon emissions and help tackle climate change made by any major UK energy company. Our Climate Commitments www.ourvision.edfenergy.com outline the business transformation underway to reduce the impact of the company’s energy generation, transport, waste and home energy use. Key pledges include cutting the intensity of CO2 emissions from electricity production by 60 per cent by 2020 and reducing CO2 emissions from customers’ energy use by 15 per cent by 2020. Everyone can take part at: www.savetodaysavetomorrow.com