Sixteen fire stations across Lincolnshire are benefiting from the installation of solar arrays, as part of the services wider push towards reducing its energy consumption by 20 percent before 2013.
Billingsborough is the latest fire station to receive a solar array, after 40 modules were fitted to the station’s roof. The project at Billingborough harnesses roof-integrated panels to minimise the aesthetical impact of the solar installation. As the building is situated in a conservation area, the 9.6kWp system required planning permission.
The £500,000 project is part of an on-going program of solar energy installations carried out at the county’s fire stations by Freewatt.
Freewatt estimates that Billingsborough Fire Station’s array will save over 5 tonnes of CO2 a year.
So far stations in Bardney, Billingborough, Bourne, Brant Broughton, Caistor, Crowland, Horncastle, Long Sutton, Louth, Mablethorpe, Metheringham, North Hykeham, Saxilby, Stamford, Wainfleet and Woodhall Spa have been converted by Freewatt.
In total the stations are now generating 150,000 kW per year – enough to negate the emission of 80 tonnes of CO2 every year.
The largest array is at Bradney, where a 69kW scheme was fitted in 2011.
“The fire stations project has been challenging because each station has required a different approach to make sure it was as efficient, cost effective and sympathetic to its surroundings as possible,” said Julian Patrick, Managing Director of Freewatt UK.
“But it’s rewarding to know that these buildings are not only protecting our homes and families but protecting the future of the planet too.”
“Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue is totally committed to green technology. We have embarked on an ambitious programme of making our station’s impact on the environment as low as possible and solar energy has been a cornerstone of that project,” said Group Manager, Andy Whitfield.
“The project doesn’t just make sense for the planet, it makes sense financially too. It’s about protecting the county’s environment and protecting the tax payers hard-earned cash at the same time. We are delighted with the work that has been done and the solar panels are already performing above our expectations.”
