Solar canopy to power Melksham campus

Solar panels installed over the car park at Melksham Community Campus are expected to generate around a fifth of the site’s electricity needs.

The £346,000 project by Wiltshire Council will see the canopy generate up to 100,000kWh of electricity a year, helping to reduce the campus’s reliance on power from the national grid and lower energy costs.

Work began in mid-May and was completed on 16th October. The programme was extended after additional drainage works were identified during construction.

David Bullock, Wiltshire Council’s director of assets, highways and transport, said, “The project is part of our wider work to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy generation across council buildings and facilities.

“By generating more electricity on site, we’re reducing reliance on the national grid while helping to lower energy costs.

“As well as producing renewable energy, the canopy will provide practical benefits for people using the campus, offering shelter during wet weather and shade in the summer months.