Prince Charles going solar in London

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LONDON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- The Westminster City Council has given Prince Charles permission to install solar panels on the roof of Clarence House, his London home and office.

The heir to the British throne achieved a goal three years ago of making Clarence House carbon neutral. Once the panels are generating electricity, the 180-year-old building will be "carbon negative," producing more power than it uses, The Daily Telegraph reports.

The panels, which will be concealed by the building's parapet, will cost about 150,000 pounds ($225,000).

Charles, the leading environmental advocate in the British royal family, also owns three luxury cars converted to run on biofuel. While the Jaguar and Land Rover use biodiesel, his Aston-Martin runs on leftover wine.

An environmental assessment submitted to the Westminster Council said the panels would help reduce emissions and publicize energy-saving changes.

"This is good news, particularly as next month Clarence House Gardens will be hosting the 'Start Garden Party to make a difference,' which will showcase various measures people could take to live a more sustainable lifestyle," a spokeswoman for the prince said.