Chinnor HQ office solar panels save tonne of CO2

THE Solar panels on the roof of the Chilterns Conservation Board office in Chinnor reached a milestone recently when the total CO2 emmission saved since their installation reached 1,000kg.

Eight solar panels were installed on the office roof in September 2007 as part of the Conservation Board?s plan to become carbon neutral by 2010. Since they were ‘launched’ by Boris Johnson, they have been generating electricity to be used by the lighting and equipment in the office. So far they have generated enough electricity to power the average household for five months.

“We?re delighted to reach this milestone,” said Steve Rodrick, Chief Officer at the Conservation Board. “The poor summer last year meant it took longer than planned but if we get more sunshine this year it won?t take as long to save the next tonne of
CO2.”

The Conservation Board is the public body responsible for protecting the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is trying to become a local role model for reducing carbon emissions and has removed unnecessary office lighting, put in more insulation and reduced staff car mileage. Together with other initiatives like the distribution of free energy-saving light bulbs to parish councils, it all means that the Board is well on the way to becoming carbon neutral.

Picture: Flash back to when Boris Johnson, who was then MP for the Henley Constituency, officially ‘turned on’ the metre to measure the CO2 saved by solar panels on the roof.