HUNDREDS of homes across Gwent now have hot water heated by solar power as part of a £1.8 million project by a social landlord.

Melin Homes has fitted solar panels to 300 homes across Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent in the first phase of a scheme which will see 500 homes have new hot water heating systems in place by 2013.

The work was funded by £1 million from the Heads of the Valleys programme and £800,000 from the UK government's carbon emissions reduction target and the landlord is the first in the UK to create a partnership with the Energy Savings Trust in a bid to cut carbon emissions.

With the new heaters, up to 90 percent of a home's hot water can be provided during the summer months and up to 30 percent in the winter.

The panels do not need direct sunlight and can still provide heat on an overcast day.

Melin Homes chief executive Mark Gardner said: "These new systems will help reduce fuel poverty for our residents. This funding has allowed us to go a long way to honouring our commitments to both our residents and the environment."

The Heads of the Valleys programme is a 15-year, £140 million regeneration project covering Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf.