PEOPLE from Herefordshire have taken part in a major European research project as they try to find out why solar energy isn't more widespread.

In the past month, the European Union has focussed on sustainable energy as they try to plan how Europe will become carbon neutral by 2050, with one group from the UK getting involved.

The Transition Newent Energy Visioning Group meet in Kempley village, on the Gloucestershire border, as part of a citizen science study which is mapping out the barriers that are preventing the widespread uptake of solar energy in the UK.

The Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) aims to engage citizens in research and said already it is looking positive. New solar panels look to be emerging that will be nearly twice as efficient as they are currently and there are also new ideas are being developed to repair existing solar panels.

One prospect is a 'solar skin', where the outside of a building is used to generate renewable energy.

Martin Brocklehurst, who is part of the Social Advisory Board for GRECO, said: "A solar skin as part of building design and houses without conventional large space heating and electric bills might seem like tomorrow's technology, but members of the Newent transition group show that this is not the case.

"Citizens can deliver these changes and projects like GRECO will flush out just who is slowing progress right across Europe.

"Citizens engaged in scientific research is a phenomenon sweeping the globe as ordinary people start to take control of our common futures and demand accelerated change to deal with the climate change emergency."