The electricity is fed into the mains network

The equipment converts the sun's rays into electricity, which is fed into the mains network, and used within the council building in Llandrindod Wells.

The project is part of local authority's drive to encourage the take-up of renewable energy projects in the region.

The panels have a peak generating capacity of 10.08 kW and have already clocked up over 1,000 kWh, or 1,000 units.

We have pledged to see renewable energy projects take off here in Powys. Councillor John Thompson

The council said the scheme was more of a demonstration on how solar power could used than to save money.

The need to reduce the burning of fossil fuels for energy has been outlined by the UK Government.

The policies aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions, the primary cause of global warming, by 60% by 2050 ,with real progress by 2020.

The chairman of Powys Energy Agency, councillor John Thompson, said: "As members of the European Community's renewable energy projects, we have pledged to see renewable energy projects take off here in Powys.

"This development provides 10 per cent of our solar electricity target but we have equivalent targets for other technologies, especially wood fuel where we and our partners are particularly active at present."

The project was paid for by the local authority, the Department of Trade and Industry and the European Union.