Mypower, the renewable energy company based in Gloucestershire, has made history by completing the installation of 150 solar panels to the roof of Gloucester Cathedral.

The system will generate 27,500kW of energy a year – enough to power seven semi-detached houses or make 250,000 cups of tea. It will reduce the cathedral’s energy costs by 25 per cent, saving £190,000 over the next 25 years.

The solar panels are almost invisible from the surrounding area because the roof is 30 metres above the ground.

Managing partner of Mypower (mypoweruk.com), Ben Harrison, based in Toddington, near Cheltenham, said: “From the first moment I stepped onto the roof of this incredible building, I knew it was going to be a challenging but thrilling project to be involved in.

“Everyone has worked together in full cohesion to deliver a common goal, to protect the historic building and create a green energy source for the long-term sustainable future of the Cathedral.

“We are all incredibly proud of what has been achieved - it has been the opportunity of a lifetime.”

The Very Reverend Stephen Lake, Dean of Gloucester, switched on the solar panels for the first time yesterday (Monday, November 21). In doing so, the cathedral – which is almost 1,000 years old – has become the oldest building of its type in the world to generate its own energy from solar technology.

To mark the historic occasion, Dean Stephen blessed the panels from the 100ft high nave roof and the cathedral’s famous tower was illuminated green.

This ground-breaking venture is part of the £6m Project Pilgrim supported by a £4.6million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to conserve and improve areas of the cathedral for visitors.

Dean Stephen said: “Gloucester Cathedral has a great tradition for combining the old with the new. By embracing this very modern technology, we are celebrating God’s gift of creation and making this remarkable building a greener and more sustainable place for future generations.

“We are fortunate to have received overwhelming support for the project and are incredibly grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund and all the individuals who donated to help make it possible.”