Swimming pool solar panels could cut bills by 40%

A swimming pool in York could see its energy bill fall by 40% following the installation of solar panels in March, bosses have said.

Yearsley Swimming Pool's manager James Howard said across the year that would save up to £30,000 and reduce carbon emissions by about 29 tonnes.

The facility on Haley's Terrace received cash from the Great British Energy-backed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral Renewables Fund to install the 182-kilowatt hour (kWh) solar panel array.

Howard said since the installation was switched on, the amount of power consumed from the grid had fallen by 51%.

"We've started to see our consumption fall massively," Howard said.

"April is the first time we've seen the bill and we're looking at a reduction of about 40% on our energy bills.

"Reducing our operating costs will reduce the pool's loss, will make it more viable in the long term and keep it going for years and years into the future.

"We have a great relationship with York Council and we're both very committed to keeping the facility open."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the first Yearsley Baths opened in 1859 and was actually situated in the River Foss.

The current facility was originally known as the New Yearsley Baths and was gifted to the people of York by Joseph Rowntree in 1908.

The pool was originally heated using steam supplied by the neighbouring Rowntree Factory.

The site was at risk of closure in the 1990s and in 2014 but was saved by campaigners.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.