Category: Leisure
One year following the installation of more than 800 new photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester City Council is reaping the benefits of saving 55 tonnes of CO2 annually through its continued investment into low carbon, energy efficient improvements to council buildings.
Delivered by Stepnell and its energy group Step Energy, the 347kWp system has generated 285MWh over the past 12 months, surpassing its 250.8 MWh predictions. Its CO2 savings were also 12% greater than forecasted, with the savings equating to planting 1,232 trees.
The project involved the replacement of the leaky 3,600m2 roof at the leisure centre with the installation of a new 1,800m2 array of photovoltaic panels. The 828 PV panels were mounted in a south facing ballasted array with five 50KW Inverters, with new insulation fitted to reduce heat loss.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said:
“The bespoke approach to renewable installation through Step Energy has enabled Aylestone Leisure Centre to maximise its renewable output and carbon savings.
One year on its clear to see the savings benefits this has had and the value that such transformations can bring to public sector provision with local authorities. It is providing a substantial return on investment for the leisure centre and Leicester City Council and we anticipate growing demand for our Step Energy services as a result.”
The work was supported by circa £500,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), forming part of Leicester City Council’s successful bid for more than £4 million of match-funding to support a range of projects that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Procured through the Crown Commercial Services Construction Framework, the roof refurbishment has enabled the leisure centre to self-generate a large percentage of its energy requirements, reducing demand on the local electricity network and saving energy costs.
Based on the generation to date, cost savings are predicted to be circa £74,000, 114% of estimates, with the initial cost of installing the solar panels expected to be recouped through savings on electricity bills in approximately four years.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Geoff Whittle, who leads on environment and transport, said:
“The investment to improve the energy efficiency of Aylestone Leisure Centre with a huge solar array is an excellent example of the benefits of decarbonising our buildings.
By investing in ambitious energy efficiency measures – like the 800 panel array at his centre – we can cut our carbon emissions and make significant savings to running costs. These first-year figures are very encouraging.”
