THAMESDOWN Transport demonstrated the strength of solar power yesterday as part of a UK-wide solar celebration.

Residents, schools and businesses were invited to the Barnfield Road depot which opened to the public for a day for a special open day.

And visitors had the chance to climb aboard a cherry picker to look at the firm’s 700sq ft solar panel roof.

David Spencer, head of engineering, led tours around the depot. One of the points of interest was a UMR 200T bus from the 1970s. A tour of the facilities, including the chance to explore a vintage 1970s Thamesdown UMR 200T bus, was also offered.

David said the solar panels were now an integral part of the company’s day-to-day operation.

“It’s been a great day here so far today, people are enjoying themselves and learning how important solar power has become to us as a business,” he said.

“On a day like today we can pretty much rely upon the energy produced by the panels alone, it’s saved us money when we’re operational 20 hours a day and I think it’s important to demonstrate to people that there is a cleaner way to use energy.

“You can’t even notice it’s there.

“We’re environmentally focused as a company anyway and we’re looking to increase this in the near future.”

The 99kWp, 432-panel structure has been a success since its installation in June 2011, saving around 43 tons of carbon a year and cutting the amount of energy used on site by 18 per cent.

Thamesdown Transport , whose Barnfield depot celebrates its 10-year anniversary this year, estimates it has saved more than £33,000 over four years as a result of the clean, sustainable energy the panels provide.

As part of their drive to save energy, the company has also installed butts to collect rain water which can then be used to wash their fleet of buses.

The open day was held as part of the national Solar Independence Day run by the Solar Trade Association.

Spokeswoman Sonia Dunlop, from the Solar Trade Association, said: “People don’t realise how unobtrusive solar power is and Swindon and Thamesdown are really flying the flag for solar power. The saving they are making is incredible year on year.”

A series of Solar Independence Day open days took place nationwide yesterday and today.

The 17 open days were held at a variety of locations including a Northumberland housing estate, a Perthshire farm building, a community solar farm in Hampshire and a stately home in Aberdeenshire.

The Solar Trade Association is lobbying the Government to ensure that British solar power can become more widespread by 2020.