Warwick Low-rise Estate
Warwick Low-rise Estate, located in the Westminster borough of London near Little Venice, consists of nine residential blocks.
Synopsis
Warwick Low-rise Estate, located in the Westminster borough of London near Little Venice, consists of nine residential blocks. Westminster City Council has an ambitious goal to become carbon-neutral by 2030, putting them comfortably ahead of City of London’s target of 2040. To help reach their target, a solar photovoltaic (PV) retrofit roofing project was delivered at Warwick Estate. The installation was fully funded through grants, ensuring no financial burden on the residents.
Bauder building board
Project | Warwick Low-rise Estate |
Location | Westminster, London |
Project type | Refurbishment |
Roof size | ~12,000 m2 |
Specifier | Westminster City Council |
Main contractor | Axis Europe |
Approved contractor | Russell Trew |
The specification
The building’s roof system was upgraded in 2018 using Bauder waterproofing solutions. This future-proof retrofit programme comprised Bauder’s renewable energy technology, BauderSOLAR F, a photovoltaic system. The solution was selected for its efficiency, design, and ease of installation, offering a highly cost-effective solution.
Bauder created a proposal detailing the carbon savings and expected power generation to meet the client’s requirements. Another key factor for the client was the roof’s design orientation, ensuring minimal shading and maximum sunlight exposure. Therefore, Bauder’s specification and design proposal set out the PV panel array and the layout of the panels on the rooftop.
Products applied
An integrated system in which the solar PV module and the substructure are combined to form a single unit, which is secured to the roof, implemented with zero penetration to the waterproofing or roof deck and zero ballast.
Project Challenges
Due to the size of the project, the installation of the PV panels was sequenced, starting with the largest block, and progressing to each of the nine blocks. Regular inspections were conducted to ensure quality and performance. Bauder also attended the site regularly for quality and performance inspections with Axis’ on-site team.
The main challenge faced during the project was restricted site access. Health and safety protocols and site management were essential to ensuring the smooth running of the installation.
Bauder PV systems are known for their quick installation, offering a cost-effective and highly efficient solution for retrofit projects. As soon as the panels arrived on-site, Axis’s on-site team erected goods-only hoists at suitable locations for each block, enabling efficient transportation of materials to the roof and the removal of any waste.
The installation team accessed the roof of each property using Haki staircases, which had been constructed prior to the start of the works. Once the panels were safely lifted to roof level, the team commenced the swift installation process. This involved placing each panel onto its individual mount, which clicked securely into place, ensuring a streamlined and efficient connection process.
System build up
Function
BauderSOLAR | Mounting unit with integrated module clamps, 1 piece
The result
The solar photovoltaic retrofit at Warwick Low-rise Estate exemplifies how sustainability, innovation, and careful project management can achieve meaningful results, contributing significantly to environmental goals. Working closely with all stakeholders from start to finish, including Westminster City Council, Axis, and Russel Trew Ltd, the project was delivered on time and without complications, causing minimum impact to residents.
Sustainability was a core driver for this project, with significant improvements achieved through the installation of BauderSOLAR F PV system. The delivered PV solution generates approximately 290,000 kWh of electricity annually, enough to power 100 households. This contributes to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, cutting 55,000 kg per year.
Bauder's 25-year warranty for the roofing system offered clients and residents peace of mind and unwavering assurance in the quality and longevity of the installation.
The carbon offset of the installation is expected to be paid back within three years, after which it will generate further carbon savings. Westminster City Council is now closer to achieving its carbon neutrality goals, with 66 blocks across the borough already equipped with PV.
The retrofit system represents a significant improvement over the council’s previous solar output. Before this project, PV panels installed across 57 blocks (about 9% of their entire stock) generated a total output of 446 kWp. In comparison, the new system installed across just nine blocks at Warwick Estate will produce around 300 kWp—delivering nearly 67% of the previous total solar output from just a fraction of the council’s housing stock. This highlights the efficiency and performance of the new installation.
For residents of Warwick Estate, this installation has resulted in reduced service charges as the energy generated powers communal lighting and systems, contributing to long-term financial savings while supporting a more sustainable future.
Advocacy
Anthony Jones, Project Specifier at Westminster City Council said:
“It was fantastic working With Bauder on this project. The knowledge and reports provided on the Solar PV system were excellent and allowed us to progress this scheme quickly and effectively."
Video courtesy of Axis.
Contact us about your project
Each project is unique in its requirements, and we have lots of resources and examples of our work to help guide you. If you are looking for a flat roofing solution for a new build or refurbishment project, then contact our team to discuss your project’s needs.