Yorkshire-based companies GMI Renewable Energy Group, Town Centre Securities and Rex Procter & Partners have launched what is thought to be the largest city centre solar photovoltaics installation in the UK. Constructed on the roof of Clarence Dock Car Park in Leeds, the system is expected to supply around 15% of the car park’s electricity.

The 128kW solar energy system will generate around 2,450,000kWh of electricity over the 25-years period. A total income of £1.25m will be generated from the feed-in tariff and save around £250,000 in electricity purchase costs, based on current energy prices. The system will also save 55,000 kg in CO2 emissions each year.

Ben Ziff, Managing Director of Town Centre Car Parks (TCCP) said, “The addition of the solar system on our car park links in perfectly with our approach of striving for new innovative ways to improve our business within a sustainable environment. Renewable energy schemes are very much part of our business model at TCS and TCCP.

“GMI Renewables and Rex Procter have done a fantastic job installing the PV scheme ensuring that there has been minimal disruption to our busy 24/7 operation at Clarence Dock car park. This scheme is definitely something to be proud of as it is the UK’s largest city centre system and we are working closely with the team to look at other future opportunities,” Ziff explained.

TCCP has also set up two new businesses, TCS Renewable Energy and TCS Solar Limited, which will be used to identify assets where TCS PLC wants to invest in renewable energy on existing real estate and car park assets already owned by the firm.

The team utilised Solyndra modules for the Clarence Dock project, which may well mark one of the last installation of its kind. The US-based manufacturer shut down manufacturing operations at the beginning of September this year, which was followed a filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.