Plans have been revealed for a solar panel installation at the Crealy Great Adventure Park in Devon, UK, which would establish the 100-acre attraction as the UK's first to run its rides with solar power.

The brainchild of Crealy MD Rod Pearson and solar energy company, Low Carbon Solar, the installation will provide enough energy to meet around 90 per cent of the park's needs during the peak summer months, powering everything from catering facilities to the park's roller coaster. Surplus power will be fed into the National Grid.

The plan involves the installation of around 200,000sq ft (18,580sq m) of solar photovoltaic panels (PV) on the roof of the park's main buildings and installing PV-covered carports in the main car park. Low Carbon Solar anticipates that the one-megawatt solar installation will save an estimated 515 tonnes (507 tons) of carbon dioxide a year and generate enough electricity to meet the equivalent needs of 200 UK average households for a year.

The park already uses bio-diesel for vehicles used on site, water from a borehole and favours local suppliers for its catering and retail outlets.