The prestigious Urban Exchange retail development on Great Ancoats Street in Manchester has had received a solar makeover after GMI Energy and Town Centre Securities (TCS) partnered once more after the success of the prior solar installation at Clarence Dock car park in Leeds.
As part of TCS’s green investment strategy, GMI Energy installed a 50kWp solar array consisting of over 200 REC modules. After surveying the roof of the property, GMI decided to install a non-penetrating roof mounted system to maintain the integrity of the building.
It is estimated that the 50kWp solar array will produce around 44,800kWh of energy a year, generating a combined income and saving of £10,550 per year over the 25 year feed-in tariff period.
The Urban Exchange retail development is host to the likes of Aldi, Marks & Spencers, Pure Gym and Go Outdoors, who will all be able to consume the green electricity generated by the solar array. The solar
Ben Ziff, Managing Director of Town Centre Car Parks (TCCP), a subsidiary of TCS explained: “We installed PV panels at the Clarence Dock car park in Leeds last year, creating the UK’s largest city centre renewable energy system in Leeds, and are very pleased with their performance so far. Not only do they cut our energy bills, but they provide us with a return on our investment. Introducing solar systems to our estate is a part of our on-going strategy to use innovative and technological ways to improve our business and help shape the environment in challenging times.”
David Donkin, Associate Director at Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) said: “Urban Exchange is an architecturally stunning environmentally-friendly building, which has become a successful retail destination. The PV panels not only add to the building’s green credentials but fit with TCS’s commitment to sustainable development.”
Carl Nielsen, Managing Director of GMI Energy said:“We are delighted to continue GMI’s relationship with Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) as the construction arm of the business has undertaken several contracts at the Urban Exchange development over the years. It’s so important for us to fully understand our client’s properties as it forms the basis of the energy assessment and allows us to create bespoke solutions that are fit for purpose.”
“Our hands-on and partnership approach meant we worked closely with Town Centre Securities to find the right solution, as investing into green energy is a longer term strategy that must integrate with the rest of the businesses objectives.”
The solar array should help the Urban Exchange dramatically reduce its carbon footprint by around 17,813kg a year for the lifetime of the system.