THE?town council in Okehampton may go green by installing solar panels on the roof of the charter hall.

The green policy could apply to other town council properties, including minor improvements to the town hall.

Town councillors on Monday heard Alan Lawson, a representative of Sun Farming, give details of the proposed erection of panels — Sun Farming are a trader of solar components and specialist in the implementation of photovoltaic projects for capital investment.

There are three potential areas of the charter hall roof that could be covered with panels, each with a different area size.

The first would be nearest to the town hall, set back between 20 to 30 metres to avoid shading. With ten panels covering an area of around 13 metres squared, it would generate 1.9 kilowatts of energy.

The second area suggested for panels would be further away from the town hall, and generate between 4 and 4.5 kilowatts of energy. The panels would possibly be visible from Red Lion Yard, though visibility of the panels would be minimal.

The final area would be even further from the town hall, with 36 panels covering an area of roughly 46 metres squared. They would generate between six and seven kilowatts of energy, but would be clearly visible from Red Lion Yard.

Mr Lawson told the special meeting of the council: 'So far we've only had a brief look at the charter hall, and seen that the roof points fifteen degrees to the east. While this isn't in its favour, that doesn't mean it wouldn't have good generation.

'To put up panels on the first area only would not really generate much energy. However, if solar panels were put on the second and third area together, they would generate between ten and 12 kilowatts of energy. That is a substantial size installation.

'The panels are made using a special glass that is non-reflective, and the frames are also completely non-reflective, so they shouldn't give off any glare to anyone in Red Lion Yard.

'As with everything, people will notice them at first, but after a while, people will get used to them and they would be almost invisible.

'The only concern I have with the third area is the potential for vandalism. The panels are extremely durable, and can withstand snow and frost and all weather conditions. But being visible from Red Lion Yard, if someone were to, say, throw a brick at them, they could become damaged.'

The panels would have a 25-year life span, and would be recycled when removed from the roof. They would generate energy to be fed back into the national grid, and offset energy costs for the council at the town hall and charter hall.

Councillors decided to consider the proposal before making a decision.

Cllr Dave Weekes pointed out the need for repairs to the roof before any work began.

He said: 'Before anything starts, we all need to know there are quite a few slates missing off the roof of the charter hall.'

The council also decided to buy a water filter for the town hall, which should dramatically improve the quality of water in the building, and to improve the use of the display screen in the charter hall foyer, with plans to make it audible as well as visual.