The UK’s coolest solar-powered buildings

It’s time to shine for solar power in the UK. Cheesy puns aside, today marks the launch of the Government’s second part of it’s solar strategy – the blueprint for its plans to roll-out solar panels across the country and drive the sector towards grid parity. To celebrate solar’s bright future – no more puns, honest – we’ve compiled a list of the UK’s coolest solar-powered buildings and hope to see many more of them in the future.

1) Sol-Cinema

This little gem is the world’s smallest movie theatre in the cosy, intimate interior of a mobile caravan. You can have the cushiest cinema experience of your life all courtesy of the sun! But you’ve got to be quick to catch it, the Sol-Cinema is so in demand – it is based in Swansea but it travels constantly – a bit like the sun itself.

2) Northampton Saints Stadium

We Brits love our Rugby: fact. The only thing that could make our little Isle’s proud sport more glorious is some sparkly solar panels to power the stadiums. That is exactly what Northampton Saints did in 2013, becoming one of the first major sports clubs to adopt solar tech. Good one guys!

3) The Solar Home

This prime piece of property gold is the UK’s first 100 per cent solar-powered home in Great Glen, Leicestershire although it looks as though it could be a movie-star’s pad in the Hollywood hills and it costs as much at a market price of £1.2 million.

4) John Lewis

Now the UK’s favourite high street giant, provider of quirky Christmas ads and purveyor of lavish home furnishings John Lewis has given us another reason to love ‘um. They’re bringing solar power to the high street and powering nearly 400 stores with renewable and solar energy. That’s another excuse to shop then…

5) Crealy Great Adventure Park

Introducing the UK’s first solar-powered theme park in Cornwall – for thrill seekers who care about their carbon footprint. The 100-acre theme park is the country’s first to run its rides with electricity form solar panels.