BRIGHT sparks are spending £67,000 on solar panels for the roof of County Hall in Taunton.
The move is part of the council's policy of pursuing environmentally friendly schemes in the hope that other organisations will follow their lead.
About £43,500 of the cost comes from a Government grant and the 120 panels will generate 20 kilo-watts per hour during daylight hours -- about three per cent of the electrical load for County Hall.
The 180,000 kilowatt hours generated each year will reduce energy costs at the council and it is hoped the project will pay for itself in 12 years.
Facilities manager Peter Moloney said: "We're installing photo-voltaic cells in the form of panels,which will generate electricity from daylight. It will be used to supplement the County Hall electrical supply and will result in some saving.
"The initiative is to reduce the environmental impact of the county council's activities and is grant-aided by central Government as it contributes to meeting nation-al commitments to reduce atmospheric pollution."
The work has seen B Block clad in scaffolding as the council does other improvement work at the site, due to be removed by the middle of April depending on favourable weather.
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