Glastonbury invests in solar panels

Article date : 23/06/2010

The largest privately-owned solar farm in Britain is to be set up for this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Founder Michael Eavis told the Times that, although he had long intended to bring solar panels to the festival, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico had lent urgency to the project to use "massive amounts of free energy".

Recycled fat from fish and chip shops is also being used to run generators.

Mr Eavis is participating in a government programme for subsidised solar panels and taking some funding from Triodos Bank, but paying £50,000 of his own money for the solar farm.
It will create 200 kilwatts of energy, which Mr Eavis will sell to the National Grid.

When a profit is shown, it will be invested back into solar power.

The farm will be based on the roof of a barn where Mr Eavis puts his cows during the festival, called the Mootel.

Glastonbury celebrates its 40th birthday this year.

Mr Eavis was inspired to start it after he saw Led Zeppelin play at the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music.

Written by Jasper Cullen

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