A wind turbine, the first of its size to be installed on a London housing estate, finished its initial trial.
Southwark Council, in partnership with London South Bank University, installed the turbine last June to see how effective it would be in reducing carbon emissions and how renewable energy might feature in the regeneration of Elephant and Castle.
The turbine produces 3,400 kWh of electricity - enough power to boil a kettle continuously for nearly 100 days - which would otherwise have come from the main power supply. The results from the trial provide data for future 'green' initiatives in buildings.
The turbine's energy was used to provide lighting in lifts and communal areas of one of the blocks of flats.
Drum Housing Association was installing 170 square metres of solar electric photovoltaic panels onto the roofs of their eco-homes at its Reema development in Petersfield.
The panels will generate electricity for the flats and houses on site, reducing annual C02 emissions by 12 tonnes. Solar hot water panels have also been installed on south facing roofs, which will generate hot water for eight of the houses and reduce C02 emissions by a further 3 tonnes.
The panels cost £170,000 have been part-funded by the Government's Low Carbon Buildings Programme in partnership with Drum and East Hampshire District Council.
The photovoltaic panels will supply green electricity to the new houses, cutting carbon emissions and reducing energy costs for residents.
The system is expected to generate approximately £2,400 of free electricity every year at current prices. Excess electricity generated by the photovoltaic panels will be fed back into the national grid, which generates an income. This will be split between residents to reduce service charges.