Last week, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council completed the installation of 390 solar panels onto the roof of Rainbow Leisure Centre, the panels were funded from the Sport England Swimming Pool Support Fund.

This is the council’s fourth, and largest, solar installation to date and is part of their Climate Change Action Plan which has set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2035.

To date, solar panels have been installed at Bourne Hall, Epsom Playhouse and Longmead Depot.

The Rainbow Leisure Centre is a high energy user, and the solar panels will contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by generating renewable energy for use by the centre. The 177 kWp system will generate 140,000 kWh of electricity, one fifth of the electricity used at the leisure centre.

The solar panels are expected to save 29 tonnes of carbon emissions and £44k in electricity bills each year.

Councillor Liz Frost, Chair of the Environment Committee said:

“This is an exciting development that continues to support our community. The Rainbow Leisure Centre is an important community hub that supports the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors, and we are proud that we’ve now been able to ensure that the building itself can have a positive environmental impact for years to come.

Thanks once again to our partners for working with us to help reduce our impact on the environment and move closer to becoming carbon neutral.”

Steve Hannen, Head of Service, GLL said:

“Respecting the planet is something that we are extremely passionate about. Everyone needs to do their bit and the installation of the solar panels at Rainbow Leisure Centre demonstrates the commitment of GLL and our partner, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, to reduce carbon emissions.”

Sports Minister, Stuart Andrew said:

“Millions of people swim every year in England, but high energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially. I know from personal experience the health benefits of getting down to your local pool, whether that’s just for a few lengths, to swim with friends, or a water aerobics class. This further £60 million of support from the Government and Sport England will make hundreds of swimming pools more energy efficient so they can keep offering their vital community and health benefits for generations to come.”

More information about the council’s Climate Change Action Plan can be found on our website: Climate Change | Epsom and Ewell Borough Counci