A BID to cut soaring energy bills by installing affordable solar panels is being piloted at a Sheffield housing development.

The solar panel heating system is being tested on a new housing estate at Norfolk Park and, if successful, could be put into thousands of new homes nationwide.

The solar panels, which provide hot water, will be fitted to three new homes on Norfolk Park as part of a year long pilot. If the study is successful, developers will look at installing the panels in all its new homes as part of a renewable energy programme.

It is expected the units will cost between £750 to £1,000 per household - about a quarter of the cost of traditional solar panel systems. This will make them far more affordable for new housing developments and existing homes.