SUNNY AND SHARE AT GLASTONBURY
(Published 18 November 2010)
Since 1981, Somerset’s Worthy Farm has hosted the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary and Performing Arts, with epic bands like The Smiths, Oasis and The Who playing to huge crowds every year.
Michael Eavis, farm owner and festival founder, has now turned his attention to renewable energy, specifically solar power. The 1,116 solar panels that he has installed onto the roof one of his cowsheds represent what is thought to be the largest private solar electric generating system in the UK.
Taking advantage of the Government’s feed-in tariff, a subsidy for renewable energy generation, the project should pay for it’s self in nine years at a profit of £60,000 per year, with any surplus energy fed back into the National Grid.
In terms of its contribution to the environment, Glastonbury now produces up to 200 kilowatts of power, which will save around 100 tonnes of carbon each year.
Michael Eavis commented: "It's fantastic. This is the best fun I've had here for ages. We had to make a big statement – and that is what we've done.
"We've got the best festival in the world and the best solar power system in the country - so far. We've got to keep pushing, trying to do more."
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