Barnsley-based Nationwide Solar has won a major new contract with Gedling Borough Council to supply solar PV panels, which will provide a renewable source of energy for one of its largest leisure centres.
The Richard Herrod Centre, based in Carlton in Nottinghamshire is now benefiting from a 79kW solar PV system, which is expected to yield 66,500kW/h per annum of electricity. This will mean significant savings for the centre on its energy bills, which is expected to pay back in around 12 years. The solar PV system covers a large part of the 55m x 35m roof of the indoor bowling centre to maximise its solar yield. Nationwide Solar selected Hilti frames for the solar panels and Power One Aurora Inverters for the building.
The move is Gedling Borough Council’s fifth investment in solar PV, which has recently included fitting two 7kW systems to the Civic Centre at Arnot Hill Park in Arnold and two 9kW systems have been installed by Nationwide Solar to the adjacent Jubilee House buildings.
Councillor Jim Creamer, portfolio holder for environment at Gedling Borough Council, said, “Solar PV is one of the main ways for the council to meet demands to save energy and to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building and fuel bills. We looked into the opportunity to invest further into solar PV and the extensive roof area of the Richard Herrod Centre made it the perfect choice. Many of our larger public buildings are now fitted with solar panels, with the income generated from the Feed in Tariff reinvested for the benefit of Gedling residents.”
Russ Cowan, managing director of Nationwide Solar in Barnsley, said, “Gedling Borough Council has recognised how solar panels represent a very good investment in the future. The Richard Herron centre was the perfect choice for solar PV, as it will be able to take advantage of a large amount of free electricity generated from the sun during the day when the centre is at its busiest. It is great to be able to help the council to reap the benefits of generating an income from their roofs.”
As an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited installer, Nationwide Solar staff have undergone training in system design, installation and after sales care. MCS is a body that certificates microgeneration technologies that are used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.
