FLOATING solar panels set to be installed on a reservoir will generate enough electricity to power 320 houses, energy bosses said.

The innovative project at a water treatment works has been given a licence to go ahead by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

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The panels will be located on the water at the United Utilities premises close to Wayoh reservoir treatment works, in Embankment Road, Turton Bottoms.

In a report United Utilities said: “The solar panels would be mounted on rafts measuring approximately 24m by 16m.

“Each raft would support eleven rows of 24 panels.

“Both the array and anchoring system has been designed to accommodate a variation in water levels.”

The panels could also operate if the reservoir was drained, but United Utilities said there are no plans for that.

The water is currently on private land and it is not used for leisure purposes.

The development will have an installed generating capacity equivalent to the electrical needs of more than 320 houses.

The company said the use of renewable energy at the reservoir would save 576 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.

A spokesperson from United Utilities said: “We are looking at the feasibility of a floating solar array on the reservoir next to Wayoh water treatment works.

“This would provide power to help run the works, allowing us to reduce energy costs and cut our environmental footprint.

“Given the UK’s volatile energy market, self-generation of power is an important way of managing costs and keep our customers’ bills affordable.

“The approach has been used very successfully in Godley, Hyde, where we have established one of Europe’s biggest floating solar arrays.

“Floating the panels on the water surface makes sense for sites where we don’t have available space on dry land.

“If we do decide that the Wayoh project is feasible, we will of course be sharing more information with local people.

“We expect to make a decision in the first quarter of 2017.”