King Charles has made a major change to his Sandringham Estate to practice what he preaches – but also save a lot of money.
The eco-conscious monarch has had a whopping big solar farm of 2,000 panels constructed on a former horse grazing paddock within his country retreat in Norfolk.
The panels will generate enough energy to power the main house with its 150 rooms and outbuildings in Norfolk, with any excess energy being returned to the National Grid. Windsor Castle in Berkshire already boasts solar panels on its roof, where Charles has reportedly reduced the heating as part of his commitment to make the Royal Household carbon neutral by 2030.
A source revealed: “The King has talked of fighting climate change for decades… He practices what he preaches and does all he can.”
It’s also believed that Charles has installed a smart meter at Balmoral, switched to electric cars, and is converting two Royal fleet Bentleys to run on biofuel.
The planning application for the Sandringham solar panels submitted to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council highlighted that they were “well screened” by existing vegetation.
According to The Sun, they are expected to last 40 years, after which they will be removed and the field returned to grazing.
Turning 76 on Thursday, His Majesty was greeted with a joyous Happy Birthday song during his attendance at a “surplus food festival” in south London.
Commending the efforts of his Coronation Food Project, which battles food waste, the monarch expressed pride in its success.
Since its launch on his birthday the previous year, sparked by concern over the increasing cost-of-living crisis, the initiative has impressively garnered £15million and rescued 940 tons of food—translating to upwards of two million meals.
During the celebration of the inaugural Coronation Food Project (CFP) hub in Deptford, southeast London, cheery melodies from Rye Oak Primary School pupils filled the air, while six-year-old attendee, Zariah, presented the King with a handmade birthday card featuring a bold 76.
Throughout his visit, good wishes for his special day were abundant, leading him to graciously thank the youngsters for their sweet gesture. He made a point to meet young Zariah, asking about her participation in crafting the card, before expressing his admiration for all the well-wishes penned inside by the school community.
