Herefordshire-based Caplor Energy has this week completed a 50kWp solar photovoltaic project at the University of Worcester. The system, which will reduce the St John’s Campus’s annual energy bill, continues to work towards the University’s drive to reduce carbon emissions.
Installed on the Woodbury Building, the solar system is expected to generate nearly 40,000kWh of electricity and save over 20 tonnes of CO2 each year. The University will also benefit from the feed-in tariff payments.
Worcester became the first university in the UK to achieve an Eco Campus Platinum award in 2010, and was ranked third out of 133 institutions in the People and Planet’s Green League in 2011. This year, the University was awarded a First Class Honours from the Green League for the third year in a row.
Katy Boom, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Worcester, said: “The University has a long-standing commitment to act in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner and has made great progress in reducing its carbon footprint as part of this. The introduction of solar panels will make a significant impact to reducing our reliance on grid electricity. What’s more it’s going to be great for all students and staff to be able to monitor the amount of free electricity we are generating from our website.”
Jamie Baldwin, Business Development Manager at Caplor Energy, concluded: “We’re delighted to be working with the University on this venture. Using solar PV generated electricity at University campuses can be really effective. Most universities have large roof spaces ideal for solar energy technologies and will almost always use all the electricity generated onsite thus maximising the energy and carbon savings.”