The centre, which used to be a Solarium, was built in 1938

All the energy needed by Solaris, on the resort's South Shore, comes from its own wind turbines and solar panels installed in the building's roof.

The centre will be used as a resource to encourage local schools, businesses and communities to conserve energy.

The building, formerly Harrowside Solarium, was renovated at a cost of �1.8m using recycled materials.

Solaris is the result of a three-year partnership between Blackpool Council and Lancaster University.

We were determined to create something unique and energy self-sufficient Cllr Fred Jackson

Formerly Harrowside Solarium, it was renovated and backed by several contributors including the North West Development Agency, the Energy Saving Trust and the North West Lancashire Priority 1 Partnership.

Councillor Fred Jackson said: "Blackpool is hugely proud of Solaris.

"It's the very first zero-energy, multi-functional building in the country.

"We were determined to create something unique and energy self-sufficient through the use of insulation, wind turbines and photo-voltaic solar roof panels.

"We want this fascinating centre to be used as a valuable resource by schools, the local community and visitors informing and educating with regard to sustainable principles in practice."

The grounds of the building show how we may live in the future, including examples of 10 artificial habitats.