Portland Town Council has shown support for local businesses which have invested in solar powered rooftop installations.

Clean Earth Energy is a provider of renewable energy to UK businesses and over the past three years has installed different solar power systems for four businesses across Portland.

Cllr Jim Draper, Portland Town Council chair, said: “The council is delighted to see local businesses on Portland embracing solar energy investments. This shift towards locally produced energy is vital for the island's sustainable future."

The largest installation is the 127-kW system for Eurotubes in May 2023 - an engineering business which has been running from premises in Portland for 35 years.

Shock Sailing, dinghy equipment specialists, quickly followed suit, with an 18 kW system being installed for the business the same month.

Portland Shellfish commissioned a 92kW solar system. Since its installation in June, it has supplied nearly 40 per cent of the company’s electricity.

The final project was for Portland Port with its 55 kW system installed in November.

Ed Lennon, Commercial Manager for Clean Earth Energy, said: "The growing focus on the climate crisis, along with rising energy prices, have prompted a lot of businesses to take action and install solar power systems.

"The cluster in Portland was one installation leading to another. They were happy to recommend us to their neighbours, based on the work we did and the cost and carbon savings we helped make possible."

Cllr Draper also shared plans for the council to invest in solar panels for its community space.

He said: "A key component of the Portland Community Venue Refurbishment and Sustainability Project includes the installation of solar panels on the council building, which will not only reduce energy costs but also allow the savings to be reinvested in the fabric of the building."