A Newhaven bowls club has reduced its carbon footprint after switching to solar power to save money and now sends power back to the National Grid.

Denton Island Indoor Bowls Club, Newhaven is set to almost halve its £14,000 per year energy bill after installing solar power.

The club, which is lit for 3,000 hours a year, switched to solar power because it offered the greatest savings on energy costs.

Geoff Higginson, buildings services director said: “Electricity made up 16% of our overheads.

"We chose solar because it was the only solution to significantly reduce that cost and because we have a massive low-angle south-facing roof.”

The club looked at two options, buying or leasing the system, both offering a 57% saving in electricity costs.

Mr Higginson said: “Buying cost £128,500 but would bring in a refund for surplus energy that went to the grid.

“The other option was free installation of the system and a 20-year lease with no maintenance or repair costs but no refund for surplus energy.”

Club members were invited to a meeting in April to consider the options. More than 100 members came and virtually all rubber stamped the option to lease – essentially because there was no short or long-term outlay for the club.

Bowler Anthony Matthews, 72, of Rodmell Avenue, Saltdean said: “It not only saves money, it's better for the environment and everybody has to do something about that if they can.”

REI funded the installation of the 400 solar panels, which began in August and took two and a half weeks to complete.

The club now purchase the solar photo voltaic (PV) electricity generated at a unit tariff less than half the club’s current grid tariff.

Bill Pierce, 67, of Piddinghoe village said: “The unfortunate thing about them is they are a bit ugly, but here at the club it doesn't matter.”

Through using this zero carbon solar PV electricity, rather than buying it from the grid, the club will be off-setting 36,700 kg of carbon equivalent and saving around £6,500 per year.

The club uses approximately 80% of the power generated with the remainder being exported to the national grid.

Toby Smith, projects director at REI, said:“There will be times in the depths of winter when the panels can't meet the club's demands as well as time times in high summer when there will be overproduction of power and the surplus is sent back into the grid.”

Club members are happy with the switch.

Maureen Featherbe, 72 of Holmbush Avenue, Saltdean said: “It's good. As long as we get plenty of sunshine I can't see how it can go wrong.”