A free public lecture on solar energy will be held at the University of Exeter's Penryn Campus on Wednesday (April 22).

Titled 'Solar Energy – the future of a billion lives', the lecture will be delivered by the university's Dr Senthilarasu Sundaram between 9.30am and 2pm.

Organisers say the event "is an ideal way for individuals to brush up their understanding of solar energy, for local businesses to think about the untapped potential of Cornwall and to learn about the ecological implications of solar energy."

Cornwall is said to be the best place in the country to capture solar energy, with a potential yield of 1,500W per square meter.

It is also the site of a leading research centre in the Environment and Sustainability Institute of the University of Exeter.

The event will also feature a tour of the campus and allow members of the public to have a look round the facilities.

There will be representatives from the library and student services available to answer questions for those who may like to take their interests further.

The event will round off with refreshments and a chance to network and meet others with similar interests.

Solar Energy is just one of a series of free taster days being offered by the University of Exeter in Penryn as part of the project Widening Participation Through Skills, part-funded by the European Social Fund.

It is aimed at anyone living in Cornwall who is not currently a student. No prior knowledge of the subject it required.

Future tasters with expert lectures will include The Weird and Wonderful World of Insects May 8, Innovations in Renewable Energy May 29 and Real World Maths June 19 and July 3, which provides an introduction to scientific computing.

For those on the Isles of Scilly, tasters and short free courses are also available. To book your place, email returntolearning@exter.ac.uk.

Further information can be found by visiting the University of Exeter website and searching for ‘Return to Learning’.