The British Library and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) have commissioned British solar thermal and solar PV developer Naked Energy for the ‘UK’s largest’ solar heat project.
A total 950 units of Naked Energy’s solar heat and electricity hybrid solution, Virtu, will be installed across the building’s rooftop, which the company states will generate 216MWh annually.
The Virtu product range is, according to Naked Energy, the world’s highest density solar technology, generating heat and electricity from the same collector. The company says the addition of solar heat collection saves four times the amount of carbon as a standard solar PV panel.
The technology will provide the library’s hot water and space heating. In a rare application of solar technology, the installation will also help maintain the precise temperature and humidity needed to preserve the British Library’s national collection.
During the planning phase of the installation, the Virtu solar technology was granted planning permission for the Grade I-listed building. This was due to its design, which does not disrupt the Library’s architecture and is not visible from street level.
Virtu technology has integrated mounting and is self-ballasting leaving no need for roof penetration. Additionally, with a 26.5cm height, the technology is said to be compatible with both flat and pitched roofs, and can also be used on vertical façades.
Christophe Williams, founder and CEO of Naked Energy said he hopes the project, which he called “an immense undertaking and an exciting step forward for the solar thermal industry in the UK”, serves as “a catalyst to inspire others in the public sector”.
The British Library received two grants under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and delivered by Salix Finance to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. In May, £530 million government investment was provided to the scheme.
Noting the additional challenge of installing on a Grade I listed building, Jon Benford, managing director at CBRE GWS, added: “We’re incredibly excited to be delivering the largest solar heat installation project in the UK for our client, the British Library, and supporting such an iconic British institution on their net zero journey.”
In July, Naked Energy received £17 million of new equity as part of a Series B first close. The funding was led by E.ON energy infrastructure Solutions and supported by co-investment from Barclays. The Virtu technology suite has been installed at E.ON’s commercial and industrial-scale projects across the UK and Europe.
