Aberdeen City Council has been left with a bill of more than £250,000 after having to switch off all its solar panels for health and safety reasons.
It is understood the decision was taken after three panels that were installed on council buildings overheated.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was informed of the incident and the council switched off all systems as a precautionary measure.
Fire risk assessments were carried out and work was then undertaken to upgrade fire alarm systems and install fire detectors.
As a result of the switch-off, the panels did not generate any income for the contractor, so the council were forced to pay £275,000.