THE future looks bright for a number of local groups thanks to a local solar panel installer who has stepped in to help them harness the power of the sun.

Thirsk-based Dresser-Solar has undertaken a 10kW solar installation at the Hillside Scout Group Headquarters at the Hillside Rural Activities Park, between villages of Knayton and Borrowby, near Thirsk.

Some 40 solar panels have been installed on the rooftop of the recently-built scout headquarters.

Using the latest black, German-manufactured panels, the installation will significantly reduce the reliance on the national grid for electricity, resulting in cheaper fuel bills.

Ian Pollitt, a member of the Hillside Scout Group executive committee, said: “From the outset we wanted to go green and one way of doing this was to factor in the use of solar energy.

"With the costs of solar panels continuing to fall it seemed a good time to act. But what really made it happen was the support we got from local solar installer, Steven Dresser.

"By reducing our energy costs it will certainly help the long term viability of this marvellous community facility."

The solar installation was assisted by part-funding from EDF and through Steven Dresser, managing director of Dresser-Solar.

For more information email solar@stevenjdresser.co.uk or telephone 01845-525655.