The Wimbledon Synagogue has held a dedication ceremony to celebrate 100 square meters of solar panels being placed on their roof.

The solar panels, which were first installed in November, generate enough electricity to power all of the lighting at the synagogue as well as the electrical component of their central heating.

About 150 people attended the ceremony on Sunday, January 24, which was held in conjunction with the Jewish holiday Tu Bishvat, celebrating nature and the planting of trees.

Rabbi Jason Rosner said: “The panels are part of a general refurbishment of the synagogue, and help the synagogue to set a good ecological example.

“The children loved it. I explained to them that what we were doing is setting up something that will pay dividends for future generations.”

A screen set up in the entrance to the synagogue in Queensmere Road, Wimbledon, provides information about the panels, including the fact that the carbon processing offset by the synagogue since November is the equivalent of the whole life cycle of one and a half trees.

The Tu Bishvat celebrations also included a ribbon cutting ceremony and the eating of fruits grown in Israel.