solar energy case studies
DESCRIPTION
Case studies of solar energy installations in CornwallTRANSCRIPT
SOLAR COMMUNITIES
BODMIN RUGBY CLUB
Local rugby club wins with ‘conversion’ of sun to electricity
Bodmin Rugby Club is a small club located just off the A30 in mid-Cornwall. The club is supported by the RFU but largely relies on fundraising to allow numerous local adults and children to play rugby and even travel around the country and abroad on rugby tours.
As a small club, it’s important their energy bills are kept as small as possible to ensure that the majority of their funds are available to support the players.
Club Treasurer Andy Richards found out about Solar Communities online, and leapt at the chance for his club to start producing their own free electricity.
In March 2012, Clean Earth Energy installed a 10kW solar PV system onto the roof of the club through Community Energy Plus’s Solar Communities scheme.
Andy said:
“Now that the panels have been in-
stalled, we’re looking forward to seeing a
saving on our electricity bills. As a small
club, any saving will make a huge differ-
ence, and next year we’ll really be able to
see the benefits of having the panels.”
Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts
Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise
providing services to help householders, businesses and
communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy
efficient homes, including:
• Insulation and heating solutions
• Energy efficiency advice and surveys
• Planning for renewables services
• Condensation and mould services
• Help to understand and reduce energy bills
Solar Communities was developed by Community
Energy Plus to provide organisations with the
opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.
SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 10 kW
ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT
MARCH 2012: £17,000
ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY
GENERATION PER ANNUM:
11,000 kWh
ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER
ANNUM*: £1,540
ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER
ANNUM: 6 tonnes
* If all electricity generated is used
From l-r: Andy Richards, Treasurer of
Bodmin Rugby Club, Neil Farrington of
Community Energy Plus and Josh Bower
of Clean Earth Energy.
0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk [email protected]
SOLAR COMMUNITIES
NATIONAL L
OBSTER HATCHERY
Lobsters bask in solar-powered hatchery
The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow is able to use solar power to
grow its lobsters after having a 9.5 kW solar array installed through
Solar Communities.
The Hatchery, a charity and social enterprise, was launched to protect
the vulnerable lobster populations and preserve the coastal marine
bio-diversity of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
The installers, Plug Into The Sun, were able to maximise the whole
roof, installing on the South, West and East facing sides to ensure that
the Hatchery is able to generate as much of their own electricity as
possible.
General Manager, Dominic Boothroyd, said:
“Since installation in the spring the panels have
performed well, reducing our energy bills by
approximately 10%. This combined with an
approximately 10% reduction in energy
requirements through raised awareness amongst
the staff and volunteers has made a significant
difference to our carbon footprint and have
reduced our carbon emissions by approximately 6
tonnes.
I have had lots of favourable comments from
members of the public and local people alike
about the appearance of the panels and I think
they enhance the appearance of the building.”
Solar Communities was developed by Community
Energy Plus to provide organisations with the
opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.
SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 9.5 kW
ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT
MARCH 2012: £15,000
ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY
GENERATION PER ANNUM: 8,000
kWh
ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER
ANNUM*: £1,230
ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER
ANNUM: 4.5 tonnes
* If all electricity generated is used
From l-r: Andy Tanner of Plug Into The Sun,
Dominic Boothroyd of The National Lobster
Hatchery, Rob Pickering of Community
Energy Plus
0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk [email protected]
Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts
Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise
providing services to help householders, businesses and
communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy
efficient homes, including:
• Insulation and heating solutions
• Energy efficiency advice and surveys
• Planning for renewables services
• Condensation and mould services
• Help to understand and reduce energy bills
SOLAR COMMUNITIES
ST AGNES SU
RGERY
Surgery keeps costs down using the sun
St Agnes GP surgery on the picturesque Cornish coast has enhanced its environmental credentials with the addition of a 10 kW solar array through Community Energy Plus’s Solar Communities programme.
The surgery have always been proactive about sustainable working practices, looking for ways to reduce their environmental impacts whilst maintaining a high level of service to their patients. They had looked at installing solar panels in the past, but the high costs involved meant it wasn’t a feasible option.
Practice Manager Liz Thierens found out about the scheme via email and the decision to sign up was a ’no-brainer’ for the surgery.
In March 2012, Clean Earth Energy installed a 10kW solar PV system on the roof.
Liz said:
"The surgery is always looking at ways we can improve our service and be
more efficient, and having the solar panels fits in with our efforts to reduce
our carbon footprint at the same
time. Solar Communities was great
because the solar panels were installed
at no cost and we're seeing the
financial and environmental benefits of
them. It is a long-term solution and the
whole process was carried out
efficiently and without any disruption.
Cornwall’s Independent Energy Experts
Community Energy Plus is a charity and social enterprise
providing services to help householders, businesses and
communities in Cornwall enjoy warmer, more energy
efficient homes, including:
• Insulation and heating solutions
• Energy efficiency advice and surveys
• Planning for renewables services
• Condensation and mould services
• Help to understand and reduce energy bills
Solar Communities was developed by Community
Energy Plus to provide organisations with the
opportunity to benefit from free green electricity.
SIZE OF SOLAR ARRAY: 10 kW
ESTIMATED INSTALL COST AT
MARCH 2012: £17,000
ESTIMATED ELECTRICITY
GENERATION PER ANNUM:
11,000 kWh
ESTIMATED SAVINGS PER
ANNUM*: £1,540
ESTIMATED CO2e SAVINGS PER
ANNUM: 6 tonnes
* If all electricity generated is used
From l-r: Liz Thierens of St Agnes Sur-
gery, Rob Pickering of Community En-
ergy Plus
0800 954 1956 www.cep.org.uk [email protected]