Over 400 solar panels installed on the roof of Cambridge's iconic King's College Chapel
It's part of efforts to reduce carbon emission by over 23 tonnes a year
Work to install over 400 solar panels on the roof of Cambridge's iconic King's College Chapel is under way in a symbol of "commitment to being good stewards of our environment".
The panels are set to reduce King's College's carbon emissions by more than 23 tonnes per year, the equivalent of planting 1,090 trees, King's said.
A tower of scaffolding still stands beside the iconic chapel, with installation of the panels hoped to be completed by the end of this year and power from them coming online in early 2024.
But the scheme has been criticised by Historic England, saying they were "disappointed" that permission was granted.
The heritage body added it was being done "at some cost to the beauty of Cambridge's finest building".
"Inspirational symbol of our commitment to being good stewards of our environment"
Dr Gillian Tett, provost at King's, said: "Many people love the chapel, they love the silhouette, they love it as the face of Cambridge, and we're very mindful of that responsibility.
"Out of that responsibility there also becomes a chance to send a wider message about the need to try to grapple with climate change.
"We've tried to take measures which reduce the visual impact of the solar panels. We've lowered them slightly so you can't see them quite so easily.
"The reality is you can still just about glimpse them if you look hard and that, frankly, is a reminder to all of us that we need to think about how we're living for the future."
She said it was "only one step on the road towards cleaner, greener energy but it is a potent and inspirational symbol of our commitment to being good stewards of our environment".
Shane Alexander, college project manager, said installation of the solar panels was designed to "dovetail" with work to replace the grade one-listed chapel's lead roof.
The 15th century chapel's roof had exceeded its natural lifespan and was no longer watertight.
The roof restoration began in September 2022 and work on the solar scheme began in March.
Arrays of 219 panels will be fixed to each of the north and south slopes of the chapel roof and will generate an anticipated 123,000 kilowatt hours per year, the college said.