A “solar revolution” has been brought a step closer after plans to install solar panels on hundreds of council homes was revealed.

Eastbourne Borough Council plans to provide free electricity to up to 1,500 tenants by installing photovoltaic panels on council-owned homes and other buildings.

It has approved the business case for the project and said, subject to final legal checks, has allocated up to £13 million in capital funding for the installations.

The council said the scheme was being monitored by other local authorities in Sussex and could pave the way for many other councils to follow suit.

Council leader David Tutt said: “Eastbourne is now a step closer to leading a solar revolution and is amongst the first pioneering authorities to seriously consider the potential offered by sustainable energy. “We still have some work to do before we can make this a reality. However, with such an innovative scheme like this it is right and proper to ensure we have completed all the right checks before committing funding.

“Everyone knows Eastbourne is one of the sunniest towns in the UK and we hope to have a final positive decision within weeks so we can start to harness our considerable sunshine advantage.”