A total of 496 solar panels have been installed at London Southend Airport (pictured), believed to be the largest airport solar installation in Britain.

It is part of a £10 million terminal expansion programme and will provide 101.3MWh of clean electricity to a range a shops, cafes and restaurants every year while avoiding 53.58 tonnes of carbon emissions.

David Lister, London Southend Airport Operations Director said: “Environmentally-friendly initiatives are very important to us and the whole building has been designed to incorporate a number of them, including sustainable drainage, specialist coating to improve insulation, extensive glazing to enhance natural lighting and slow start escalators.”

The solar system was installed by Reading-based Photon Energy, with the panels supplied by Conergy.