Nottingham City Council Installs UK's First Public Solar Cloth Carport
The carport consists of 448 solar panels covering 40 parking bays. It will provide a free source of electricity for Harvey Hadden, reducing its power requirements from the grid and, in turn, freeing up funds for further investment in its sports and leisure. The solar system at Harvey Hadden will produce 50MWh/year, and the CO2 emissions saved will be 493 tonnes per year, which is the equivalent of emissions from 225 cars per year. The energy generated, which will all be used to power the leisure centre, is the equivalent of powering a fridge for 139 years, or making just over 2 million cups of tea.
The carport was constructed between June and July this year by Solar Cloth Company with the support of their key supplier Sitec Infrastructure Services, provided the solar technology and Power Parking solution, and EvoEnergy, who managed the programme including delivery of all electrical work. Solar Cloth Company's Power Parking solution uses copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) technology, which produces a higher energy yield over time when compared with traditionally used crystalline silicon solutions, contributing greatly to achieving Nottingham City Council's environmental commitments and aims.
Sustainable energy creation is at the forefront of Nottingham City Council's vision when investing in its major programmes. The council has already implemented many solar energy systems across its public buildings and housing stock and there is a series of solar developments planned for the future. The council has an ambitious strategy to lower carbon emissions for the city and programmes such as this help the city maintain its performance as the most energy self-sufficient city in the UK.
Whilst developing the new sports village Nottingham City Council looked to work with market leading companies to deliver the first public solar cloth carport.
Mike Staplehurst, CEO of Solar Cloth Company comments: "As the uptake of solar solutions continues to grow in the UK, people and businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the different types of solutions available and also learning that there is a huge variety to suit the needs of a range of applications and projects. Our PowerParking solution offers a bespoke approach to proving solar solutions, and by working with our experienced installation partners EvoEnergy and Sitec, together we've been able to deliver a solution that fits with not just the eco-goals of Nottingham City Council, but also the physical structures already planned. This flexibility is a key strength of what Solar Cloth Company can offer, and we're incredibly proud to have a key part in providing the UK's first commercial local authority installation."
Michael Sailsbury, Projects Director at EvoEnergy says: "We have worked with Nottingham City Council on a range of different projects in the past and this latest has been one of the most exciting as we've been able to play a key part in the development of Harvey Hadden, which has been eagerly awaited in Nottingham. Working in partnership with Solar Cloth Company on this installation, it's been a great example of how a combination of experience, innovation and cutting edge technology can achieve great things."
Councillor Allan Clark, Nottingham City Council says: "Once again Nottingham City Council is leading the local authority green energy agenda. The sun provides an inexhaustible source of energy and it is very exciting that the city's sites can be used to harness this power to provide green energy for our citizens. Almost 15% of the energy used in the city comes from low carbon or zero carbon sources making Nottingham the most Energy Self Sufficient city in the UK over the next 18 months our solar panel programme will significantly build on this."
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture added; "We're delighted that our iconic facility is environmentally friendly and will contribute to achieving Nottingham City Council's green energy commitments."
The Harvey Hadden Sports Village £16m redevelopment includes £1.94m from Sport England's Iconic Facilities Fund. The site will include the only 50m pool in Nottingham that is available for the public every day. The facility will officially open to the public in September 2015.
