Visitors to Godshill Model Village can now spot a new feature among the miniature cottages and churches, with tiny solar panels installed on several buildings as part of a new partnership with home improvement retailer, Wickes.
The display, which will remain in place throughout the Summer, is designed to highlight the growing adoption of renewable energy in real UK homes.
Although the panels at the model village are purely decorative, they mirror a wider national trend, with 1 in 20 households now generating their own electricity through solar panels.
The collaboration follows The Model Village’s recent link-up with Manolo Blahnik and marks another example of how the attraction is blending heritage with contemporary themes.
Teresa Paul, Sustainability Category Development Director at Wickes, has said:
“Solar energy is no longer just about saving money – it’s about creating homes that are more efficient, innovative, and future-ready.
“Our activation at The Model Village on the Isle of Wight is a fun way to bring this message to life. By scaling down the technology to fit miniature houses, we’re showing that solar energy can work for homes of all shapes and sizes.”
Contact: Isabella Betts
[email protected]
The Godshill attraction has also installed a miniature wind turbine in recent years and says the new addition fits well with its ethos of sparking conversation through detail.
Penny Dyer, Director of The Model Village, has said:
“We’re delighted to partner with Wickes Solar on this project. Our miniature world is all about capturing attention to detail, and these tiny solar installations are a perfect fit.
“Although our model village represents one that is hundreds of years old, we’re proud to show how old and new can come together and coexist in the future.”
Why are they only there for the summer ?