RUNNING costs at a community centre will be easier to afford after £28,000 worth of solar panels were installed on the roof.

Hanwell Fields Community Centre, in Banbury, has had 88 new solar panels fitted after funding was awarded by social housing provider Paradigm Housing.

The cash was granted as a continuation of the Hanwell Fields development partnership between Cherwell District Council and Paradigm.

Administrator for Hanwell Fields Community Centre, Peter Goode, said: “The project will help us maintain the building and provide a long-term contribution to the running costs of the community centre. The solar panels will ensure that we will be able to pay our hire fee’s and remain competitive.

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“Obviously daylight hours are reduced at this time of year but we are already generating energy, and when the building is not being used we are still generating energy, helping the environment as well.”

The centre, in Rotary Way, has 25 regular groups hiring the venue, such as parent and toddler classes, sports groups and Cubs and Scouts.

Cherwell District Council’s deputy leader, Councillor George Reynolds, said: “The solar panels will get electricity fed into the community hall so the money can be put back into sustaining the centre. Excess energy generated will be money shared between Cherwell District Council and the Hanwell Fields Community Association.

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