Working with on-island companies and organisations, America’s Cup team Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing made a positive impact on the island, according to a new 46-page report.

In order to offset its carbon footprint during the seven months the team was based in Bermuda for last year’s sailing event, which was held in May and June, the team installed 194 solar panels at National Museum. The panels can generate more than 93,600 kilowatt hours of energy every year. Within a little over two years of use the panels will compensate for the estimated 246,000 kWh of energy consumed by the team’s operations in Bermuda during its stay from January to July 2017.

The solar panels were installed by Pembroke-based BE Solar, creating the largest ground-mounted solar installation on the island. The panels will reduce the museum’s annual electricity bills by 20 per cent.

Other sustainability efforts undertaken by the team included sourcing as much food as possible from Bermudian farmers and producers.

“Our aim was to contribute to local communities by trading with Bermudian businesses, ensuring that we were able to give something back to the economy,” the report said.

The team cut down on food waste by redistributing surplus food to organisations such as Eliza DoLittle Society to provide support for the less well-off.

And the team base banned single-use plastics, such as plastic tableware, stirrers, coffee and water cups. It was compulsory for the team and visitors to use reusable water bottles.

An estimated 5.4 tonnes of tin, aluminium and glass waste generated at the base was diverted for recycling during the team’s 36 weeks on the island.

When the Land Rover BAR team base at Dockyard was dismantled in July, a number of solar panels were donated to the GreenRock organisation for its Ecoschool youth education programme and to Keep Bermuda Beautiful, while plywood sheets, plants, earth, and more than 200 square metres of ocean plastics carpet tiles were given to a number of groups, including KBB, Bermuda Diabetes Association and Somersfield Academy.

During its stay in Bermuda, the team welcomed 9,000 visitors into its 11th Hour Racing Exploration Zone, providing education and information about the ocean and the importance of environmental sustainability. The zone included an interactive classroom space that was used by local students.

Sir Ben Ainslie, team skipper, said the 11th Hour Racing Exploration Zone had “captured people’s imagination and sparked creativity and interest in our oceans — a true lasting legacy”.

Anne Hyde, executive director of Keep Bermuda Beautiful, said: “Land Rover BAR and 11th Hour Racing set a great example of sustainability excellence while in Bermuda — a new benchmark for our island.”