Gloucester Cathedral,the 11th century becomes the oldest building in the world to have solar panels installed

A 1,000-year-old cathedral has been given a 21st century makeover with a bank of ultra-modern solar panels.

Some 150 panels are being fitted on the roof of Gloucester Cathedral, just inches from the stone gargoyles that have adorned the building for centuries. 

The £100,000 green energy project is part of a larger £6million scheme restore and preserve the cathedral for future generations. It is believed to be the oldest building in the world to be fitted with solar panels.

 The panels will generate 25,000 kilowatts of energy each year - enough to power seven semi-detached homes or make 250,000 cups of tea.

Laying the first panels on Tuesday Oct 25,2016, Reverend Canon Cecilia Thomson said it was a 'historic' moment. She said: 'We started on this project seven years ago so to start seeing the physical changes is very exciting. It is great to see the juxtaposition between the old and the new at the cathedral.' 

Ben Harrison, managing partner of Mypower, which is installing the panels, said the project presented unique challenges. He said: 'With a modern build, you can work to a drawing and know exactly how it's going to be, but with a 1,000-year-old building like the Cathedral you find twists and turns on the roof and undulations where it's sagged over the years.