A raffle winner will save money on energy bills and help the environment.

The Bermuda National Trust and BE Solar has teamed up to offer a solar panel installation as the grand prize in the draw next month.

A woman who won the eight-panel system last year – and had two additional panels installed – found her Belco bills had halved.

Funds raised in the raffle help the BNT with its work to protect and promote the island’s natural and cultural heritage.

The installation, which was also provided by BE Solar in 2020, is designed to deliver an average of $97 a month in savings.

Costs for the eight panels, parts and Department of Planning requirements are included in the grand prize for the raffle, which will be drawn on December 6.

Mary Wachuka won the solar panel system last year and was given permission by her landlord for the installation.

Her landlord also bought two additional panels, which made a total of ten.

The installation started operating last June.

A BE Solar spokesman said Ms Wachuka’s Belco bill had been cut by 50 per cent since then.

Ms Wachuka said that she bought the raffle ticket in support of the trust’s mission to look after Bermuda’s "unique natural and cultural heritage”.

She added: “Buying raffle tickets is one of the more popular ways of supporting local charities.”

Ms Wachuka has previously volunteered with the BNT at the charity’s clean-up events.

She said that the solar panel installation was “seamless” and that BE Solar handled the entire process.

Ms Wachuka added: “The team at BE Solar is very professional.

“The whole experience was positive.”

She said: “Besides the cost savings, using solar panels has a direct impact on the environment.

“At a time when much attention is being turned to climate change and what can be done to reduce the carbon emissions from fossil fuels, it feels great to be a part of the solution.

“And all for the low price of a raffle ticket.”

Dörte Horsfield, the BNT’s head of development and engagement, said that the charity was “very grateful” to BE Solar.

She added: “This is an important fundraiser for the trust and the money is put towards caring for our 13 nature reserves across the island.

“These green spaces help to keep our island cool, act as carbon sinks, and provide havens for biodiversity.

“Just as important, they offer people quiet refuges in nature away from our busy, modern lives, which is critical for our physical and mental wellbeing.”

Stratton Hatfield, BE Solar’s development director said that the company’s team was "honoured“ to team up with the BNT ”to provide this compelling cost-saving and fossil fuel-fighting prize for a second year in a row”.

A spokesman for the firm explained: “BE Solar has a vision of an efficient Bermuda powered by affordable renewable energy and the company is continuing to make solar more accessible by fostering partnerships with non-profit organisations that are helping people and places in Bermuda.”

The $50 BNT raffle tickets can be bought on its website, from the trust’s headquarters at 2 Pomander Road, Paget and from various locations such as at BE Solar, Frameworks and WindyBank Farm.

In addition to the eight-panel solar power system, other prizes include Pedego electric bicycles and hotel stays as well as grocery and dinner vouchers.