The country's first "solar meadow" has been officially opened.
The five-acre site containing more than 2,500 solar panels is based at one of the most northerly locations for solar power in Europe at the Midlothian campus of Edinburgh College in Dalkeith.
Construction of the meadow, designed and installed by SSE Energy Solutions, cost £1.2m to build and is predicted to save the college tens of thousands of pounds on energy bills as electricity demands from the campus will be met by solar power.
As a result, carbon emissions from the college will decrease by 300,000 kg per annum.
Local MSP Colin Beattie marked the official opening by cutting the ribbon during a ceremony at the site attended by staff, students, local business leaders and community figures.
In addition to generating power, the site is also "the first teaching facility of its kind in Scotland," according to Professor Steve Tinsley, vice-principal of Edinburgh College, who is leading the project.
It will act as an outdoor classroom for engineering students as the performance of the panels and environmental conditions are monitored.
"[The solar meadow] will help not only to provide the next generation of engineers with essential skills, but also allow the college to become less reliant on fossil fuel energy," said Prof Tinsley.
Wildflowers and various grasses are to be planted in the meadow to increase the site's biodiversity.
Prof Tinsley added: "We believe the solar meadow also looks great and will become a significant attraction for local people as well as visitors to the capital.
"It is also fantastic that the project has enabled the college to engage with schools and local community groups to develop their own renewable energy projects. It really is giving something back to the local community in more ways than one."
The meadow will also be used as a research centre where the interaction between biodiversity and solar technology is analysed, including the effect of environmental conditions on the output from the solar panels such as weather and pollen.
A research assistant from Edinburgh Napier University will join the team of staff and students from Edinburgh College to collect and analyse the data.
Students are also excited with the development of the meadow.
Alana Beaton, 23, from Inverness, is studying NC Intermediate Electrical Engineering, said: "I'm really interested in renewable energy and I'm excited that Edinburgh College is leading the way with the solar meadow.
"I'm really looking forward to using the solar meadow as part of my course. I think it will further my interests within solar energy technologies and modern engineering in Scotland."
Richard Chandler, SSE's head of green deal and energy solutions, said: "The solar meadow will not only generate around 560,000 kWhrs every year, enough energy to power 170 homes, but is also a fine example of how industry and education can work well together.
"This project will bring benefits to the college, its students and the wider community as well as further strengthening Scotland's renewable energy resources."
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