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Solar power is everywhere these days and for good reason; it’s kinder to the environment and can save people money – something which all of us can appreciate. Now a company from Kent is about to practice what it preaches (and sells) after gaining planning permission to build a solar photovoltaic (PV) system that will generate enough solar power to run 12 average-sized homes.

However, it’s not homes on this occasion that the ground-mounted solar array will power – it’s The Green Home Company’s offices in Coxheath, near Maidstone. Once completed the solar installation will slash the amount of electricity the firm’s offices use, and reduce its carbon footprint too.

The Green Home Company‘s Managing Director Alan Proto said: “It’s fantastic news for everyone really. We are delighted to be able to use the same solar panels we sell to residential and commercial clients across the South East to reduce our electricity bills and lower our CO2 emissions at the same time.

The 50kWp ground-mounted solar array will be built on a piece of idle land next to The Green Home Company’s offices, which was of no use for any other purpose. It will offset 23 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. The project, which will be worth around £350,000, is seen as a sound investment in the future of The Green Home Company and the environment.

The development should take no longer than eight weeks to complete and will be in place before February next year

Alan said: “As long as there is daylight, the panels will produce electricity. They will generate at full capacity when it is a clear, sunny day. It’s really cost effective for us to put this in place as we can do it ourselves and we, as well as the environment, benefit from it. It’s taken nearly a year to get planning permission but it is well worth it from our point of view.’

The Green Home Company installs solar panels onto domestic and commercial premises in Kent and across the South East of England. It also operates a scheme where residents can have solar panels fitted for free if their roof is south facing, the correct size, and un-shaded. Using exclusively its own installers, The Green Home Company is a top-ten UK solar installation company. It is also a major local employer, having recruited over 100 people in Kent over the last twelve months

The Green Home Company was created in September 2009 and was the brainchild of Alan Proto who lives near Sevenoaks. Spotting the increasing need for and popularity of solar energy, Alan decided to start a business dedicated to installing solar panels; adding it to his portfolio of already-successful construction businesses.

Since January 2010 the company has carried out more than 300 installations across the South-East; 58 systems were sold in August 2011 alone. The company has fitted around 5,000 panels since it began trading, producing between them around one megawatt of power each year.