Last year we reported that Prince Charles had finally won the battle to install solar photovoltaic panels on the roof of his London residence, Clarence House. The Grade II listed building, which already covered almost a quarter of its electricity needs with renewable energy, now features 30 solar PV panels on its south facing roof.
The Pall Mall-based building’s 5.6kW system will now benefit from the UK’s feed-in tariff as well as reducing the buildings energy bills and cutting its carbon footprint further.
“The solar panels would contribute towards the UK's 2020 renewable energy and carbon reduction targets [and] … towards the Mayor's target for 25% of the heat and power used in London to be generated through the use of decentralised energy systems by 2025,” noted the Westminster City Council report.
Image: ©Clarence House, 2011 (www.princeofwales.gov.uk)
An environmental assessment of the scheme included in Westminster City Council planning documents stated, “The installation of solar panels on the roof of Clarence House is the latest in a line of renewable technology projects undertaken by the household of HRH the Prince of Wales that not only have a direct benefit of reducing fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide emissions but also have an indirect impact by raising the profile of such technologies.”
The installation took approximately one week to complete. At this point, no further details are available.
Image: ©Clarence House, 2011 (www.princeofwales.gov.uk)
