Community-owned solar panels are going to be installed in 25 council buildings across Edinburgh.

Public buildings such as schools and leisure centres will be chosen and announced at a later date. The project is expected to cut the city’s carbon emissions by an estimated 855 tonnes a year.

The city council will work in partnership with the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) to deliver the initiative.

Any extra energy will be sold to the National Grid and profits made by the project will be reinvested locally through a newly-created Community Benefit Fund.

Shares will be available with priority allocation given to Edinburgh residents. Members will receive yearly interest with any surplus profit invested in same fund.

Vice Convener of Transport and Environment, Councillor Adam McVey said: “We are aiming to meet our target of reducing Edinburgh’s carbon emissions by 42% by 2020.

“This project is an important step towards us achieving this.”