An Amman Valley school will be helping the environment when pupils return to class this September after having solar panels fitted.

Ysgol y Bedol in Garnant is currently undergoing the installation of a 50kWp solar PV system.

Two hundred panels are being installed as part of the Egni solar PV cooperative project.

The new system is expected to slash increasing electricity bills with computers and lighting feeding off the natural resource.

Children will also benefit by learning about efficiency ideas that can be crucial skills going forward.

Carmarthenshire County Council Leader, Councillor Kevin Madge, said: “These panels not only generate clean energy and save money but will also help educate the children on the importance of climate change and sustainability, as well as the impact they have on the environment.

"The money saved in electricity by installing these panels can be used for other vital resources for the school, such as books and stationery needed to help provide the best possible education for our children.”

Egni is the first solar cooperative in Wales and has been nominated for Wales Green Energy Awards 2014. It supports the development of solar energy on community owned buildings in Wales thus generating clean energy and enables community projects to be more financially stable and a more sustainable future.

Cllr Madge said: “Encouraging and educating children to understand and promote sustainable development and global citizenship from an early age is very important to us as a council.”