TOYOTA believes plans to install thousands of solar panels at its Burnaston plant will increase the green credentials of an eco-friendly car it builds at the factory.

The Japanese car-maker, in partnership with British Gas, has applied to South Derbyshire District Council for 17,000 solar panels to be sited within the grounds of the factory.

Standing next to the solar panels are, from left, Tony Walker from Toyota and South Derbyshire District Council chief executive Frank McArdle.

Once operational, the panels would be capable of producing around 5% of the plant's electricity.

The panels would also help to reduce the factory's carbon footprint – saving 45,000 tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime.

Toyota makes the Avensis and Auris at Burnaston.

Last summer, it began producing an eco-friendly version of the Auris called the Auris hybrid, which runs on both petrol and electricity.

Dave Chapman, assistant general manager for the facilities and environment division at the factory, said: "Fleet customers in particular are becoming increasingly interested in the way we build our cars.

"There is little point in producing an environmentally-friendly car if the way it is made produces a lot of carbon."

The solar panels, which cost more than £10 million, are being paid for by British Gas.

Under the arrangement, British Gas will claim the feed-in tariff, which is a scheme that pays the owners of the panels for the renewable electricity they generate.

For providing the site, Toyota will benefit from the free renewable electricity generated by the panels. Toyota said the ground-mounted panels would be similar to three panels it already had at the main entrance of the factory, which produced power for some of its offices.

Tony Walker, deputy managing director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, said: "Using solar power to supply electricity to the plant underlines our commitment to the UK's low-carbon economy and our own ambitions to further reduce our carbon footprint."

Jon Kimber, managing director of British Gas New Energy, said: "With energy costs increasing and tough climate change targets to meet, all businesses are looking at ways to cut their bills and reduce their carbon emissions.

"Toyota is a real beacon for green business throughout the UK."

Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, said: "Subject to the necessary planning consent, this is a tremendous investment by Toyota and British Gas."

The planning application will be considered in the next few weeks. If approved, work could start in late spring.