A BUS depot in Swindon will throw open its doors on Friday, July 3, as part of a celebration of solar power.

The Thamesdown Transport depot will be showing off its rooftop solar installation from 10am to 2pm as part of a UK-wide event.

Residents, schools, businesses and community groups are invited to come and see how solar rooftops generate clean, home-grown electricity while helping Swindon Borough Council, which owns the depot, keep its energy bills low.

They will have an opportunity to see the panels up close with a platform lift to take people up to roof level.

The 99 kWp solar array on the bus company roof saves 43 tonnes of carbon a year and has cut the amount of energy needed on site by 18 per cent, savings more than £33,000 a year for the council.

The array was installed by Public Power Solutions, a wholly-owned company of Swindon Borough Council.

James Owen, the commercial director of Public Power Solutions, said: “Solar energy is the most popular form of energy at more than 80 per cent support in official opinion polls."

“Solar makes no noise or waste and has no moving parts. It produces no carbon emissions and with the right support could be as cheap as fossil fuel electricity by 2020.

“I hope lots of people will be able to come along on Friday and see it in action here in Swindon and how it is helping save taxpayers’ money while cutting carbon emissions.”

The event is part of a series of Solar Independence Day open days taking place across the country on Friday and Saturday, led by the Solar Trade Association.

Those wishing to attend should register at www.solar-trade.org.uk