The University of the West of England (UWE) quadrupled its solar generating capacity through the installation of 1,731 solar panels, enabling it to produce over 400 MWh of electricity each year and making it the largest solar panel array in the UK university sector.
The solar array was installed on the roof of the University Enterprise Zone and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, which both underwent extensive refurbishment as part of the required works. Prior to the PV being installed, approved contractor Mitie Tilley Roofing overlaid the original single ply waterproofing with over 12,000m2 of Bauder’s lightweight, robust PVC single ply waterproofing system Thermofol.
The solar modules, which weigh less than 12Kg/m2 , were then fitted using a unique penetration-free method by renewable energy specialists Dulas. The PV system should generate enough electricity each year to; cover half of the energy usage within the building, save around 200 tonnes of carbon and provide annual savings of over £50,000 a year. The university is committed to sustainability and this project is just part of a much wider plan to achieve its carbon reduction goals.