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The 135 year old Stow Rugby Club is bringing itself bang up to date by investing £50 000 in solar PV to reduce the clubs energy bills, reduce the club"s carbon footprint and secure its energy supply for the future.

Farmer and BBC countryfile presenter Adam Henson popped in to lend a hand with the installation.

Helping Adam were two members of the successful U-10 team: Adam"s son Alfie and fourth generation Stow member Jack Harrison.

When asked about his involvement,Adam responded “I’m Stow born and bred and the rugby club featured strongly in my youth. Now that the likes of Alfie and Jack are coming up through the rugby club, its great to know that its future is being secured through great, sustainable initiatives like this.”

The new system will produce 27,000kwh electricity per year from 126 solar panels, saving 11.7 tonnes of CO2 per year. The systems will generate 11% return on capital invested in the first year and payback will be 9 years. Income&savings over the next 25 years should exceed £235,000.

The installation is being overseen by local solar PV specialist MyPower. Ben Harrison, (Jack’s Dad) who heads up MyPower said: “Installing solar PV still offers a fantastic return on investment as solar costs have reduced significantly to counter-balance the planned reduction in government feed in tariffs.

Solar PV is a great option for sports and similar clubs, business and organisations as well as domestic premises as it’s such a green, long-term option. Stow Rugby Club is the first in the area to take up this initiative and, like its players on the pitch, is leading the field.”

Dave Oughton, U-17 Coach and Stow Ruby Club Committee member added,“Adam is a great supporter of the club - it’s because people like Adam and Ben care so much about the club that we can be so forward thinking. This is a major project for the club but one which will reap returns for us for many years and help secure our future. Things are looking good for the club with some outstanding results this season – like the U-10’s beating Bath U-10’s by 20 points to 15 away at Bath recently!”

The investment in Solar expected to ensure the Club house operates more efficiently and sustainably and has the backing of the Club's committee,who estimate that the new system's 126 panels will produce 27,000kwh electricity per year, saving 11.7 tonnes of CO2 per year, and will generate 11% return on the capital invested in the first year alone.

While full payback will take around 9 years the club expect that the income & savings over the 25 year lifespan of the system should exceed £235,000.