Cornwall's biggest solar canopy, which will supply clean and cheaper electricity to Cornwall Council's head offices, is nearing completion.

The 543 solar panels will generate approximately 200,000kWh annually for the New County Hall headquarters in Truro, providing about a third of the office's energy needs.

This is equivalent to powering 74 homes and it is said will "significantly lower" the council's annual energy bills.

The 230-kilowatt renewable power scheme is expected to reduce the office's greenhouse gas emissions by 50 tonnes of carbon each year.

(Image: Cornwall Council) It is the latest addition to the council's initiative to boost the installed capacity of renewable energy in its buildings, aiming to expand from 8 megawatts to an additional 10 megawatts by 2030.

This commitment places Cornwall among the top local authorities in the country for renewable energy levels.

Councillor Martyn Alvey, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: "This is Cornwall’s largest solar canopy and a flagship scheme in our ambitious programme to increase our renewable energy and decarbonise our council buildings.

"It underlines our firm commitment to tackling the climate emergency and we hope this exciting project could act as a demonstrator and blueprint for similar projects elsewhere."

The canopy will complement the existing solar panels on the roof of New County Hall, which currently supply a quarter of the building’s energy.

Together, the rooftop array and new solar canopy will ensure that more than half of the energy powering New County Hall will be renewable.

(Image: Cornwall Council) Councillor David Harris, Cornwall’s deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, added: "Taken together, our new solar canopy and rooftop array will mean that more than half of the energy powering New County Hall will be renewable, making it more self-sufficient, significantly reducing its running costs and giving us better energy security."

The council said its commitment to renewable energy extends beyond the New County Hall.

Other council buildings, including Kresen Kernow in Redruth, St John's Hall in Penzance, and South Wheal Crofty in Pool, have also benefitted from solar panel installations.

The council has also supported the installation of a solar array at Stoke Climsland School.

All this work has been funded through the council’s £20 million Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technology Fund.

This initiative forms part of the council's wider strategy to tackle the climate emergency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and make Cornwall a greener, more sustainable county.

Find out more on Cornwall Council's website.