Solar panels that have been installed at schools throughout North Lanarkshire are now generating electricity.

The panels have been installed in more than a third of primary and secondary schools in the area and will help the local authority to produce renewable green energy as well as help local schools generate savings.

The Photo Voltaic (PV) panels have been installed on the roofs of the schools and the council has said it will sell the electricity produced to the National Grid.

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To date, 23 schools have been fitted with the panels and will bring in some £25,000 of income. This will be removed from the schools' electricity bills and it is thought it will save around 92 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

There are also plans for PV panels to be installed at another 60 school sites.

Councillor Jim Logue, Convener of Learning and Leisure Services, said: "The solar panels will help the council cut its carbon footprint, reduce electricity bills and highlights our commitment to using renewable technologies.

"Over the next 20/25 years, the solar panels will provide an estimated income of around £542,000 for the council and we will continue to look into other environmentally friendly schemes for energy generation at other suitable sites."

(JP/IT)