THE UK’s first solar powered business park has proved to be a shining example of green technology.

Bosses at Howbery Business Park near Wallingford are delighted with the performance of more than 3,000 solar panels installed earlier this year after they generated 34 per cent of its power needs from April to September.

It was way above the original target of 25 per cent and was achieved despite the poor summer.

Chief executive John Ormston said: “Solar energy has proved to be a highly effective alternative energy source for our park.”

The solar park produced 730,000kWh in its first 12 months, preventing 400 tonnes of CO2 going into the atmosphere. A total of 116,000kWh has been sold to the National Grid.

Water and environmental consultancy HR Wallingford, which employs 250 people on the site, developed the installation at a cost of more than £2m.