Central Bristol’s biggest solar panel system has been installed on the roof of At-Bristol, the science visitor attraction.
A total of 208 individual panels have been fitted on an area approximately the size of two tennis courts – generating enough power to supply around a dozen homes a year.
The 50 kilowatt peak (kWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) system will provide a renewable source of energy for the Harbourside building. The panels will prevent more than 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year from entering the atmosphere, further reducing the centre’s carbon footprint.
At-Bristol’s chief executive Goéry Delacôte said: “Sustainability and sustainable technologies is one of the most important developing areas of science at the moment, and the PV installation is part of a bigger sustainability mission for At-Bristol. As part of our goal to engage the public with scientific issues, it’s key to ensure we’re sustainable as an organisation and that we share our initiatives, and highlight the bigger issues, to the public.
“The new PV array is an example of how At-Bristol is working hard to be as sustainable as we can as an organisation, and to then share this with the public. To do this, we will have a display in our main entrance which will allow them to see how the PV array is working, the science behind it and to learn about sustainability in their own lives.”
It is predicted that the PV system – installed with a £27,436 grant from electricity generator EDF’s Energy Green Fund – will generate more than 47,000 kWh of electricity a year and during peak conditions the panels are expected to produce 20% of the total energy consumption of the science centre. The energy generated will help off-set electricity costs, an important benefit for At-Bristol as a registered charity.
EDF Energy’s head of sustainability and environmental leadership Darren Towers added: “Thanks to customers on our Green tariff, EDF Energy has been able to invest millions of pounds into small-scale renewable projects like this one through the fund. We’ve awarded more than £100,000 to support projects in Bristol alone. It’s all part of our commitment to build a low carbon future for the UK – something that helps communities and protects the environment now and for years to come.”
EDF will be powering the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games with low carbon electricity. “We hope this will encourage people to change the way they think about and use energy in their own lives,” said Mr Towers. “We very much hope that At-Bristol’s innovative renewable project will also inspire others.”
The PV panels are being installed by Backwell-based renewable energy specialist Solarsense, which has already installed a number of other PV systems in the city, including an 184-panel array at Bristol Zoo. Its commercial projects manager Natasha Block said: “The new solar energy system will save carbon emissions, cut energy bills and generate income for At-Bristol, enabling it to expand its work. It will also help promote the tremendous benefits of renewable energy for the wider community and the environment.
“Schoolchildren and other visitors will be able to see how much electricity is being generated and carbon saved for the weather conditions, via a live display linked to the system and a weather station that we’re also installing,” she added.
Mr Delacôte added: “This is a great ecological example for our visitors as the display will be in our main entrance and will also explain how the whole system works, inviting them to be more sustainable themselves.”
The low-energy science centre already uses renewable air-source heat pumps to heat and cool the building by means of a unique phase-change storage tank, and also has two green roofs guarded by a robotic peregrine falcon which will ensure seagulls keep away from the new solar panels.
