Solar panels on the roof of RNLI College in Poole, Dorset, are reducing our carbon footprint and saving money.

Within 3 weeks of installation, the panels had generated their first megawatt hour of power – worth £430. Head of Estates Management Howard Richings says: ‘This should accelerate once the days lengthen and end up bringing in over £17,000 a year.

‘The power generated will reduce the RNLI’s carbon footprint by some 23 tonnes of CO2 per year – the equivalent of a Severn class lifeboat cruising at 20 knots for 30 hours. The pay back on our investment is estimated at 6–7 years.’