Work has recently been completed on the roof of Halstead Leisure Centre with the installation of more than 600 solar panels covering an area of 1232m², greater than the area of four tennis courts. All of the energy from the 170kW array will be used on site, generating more than 160,000kWh of green electricity each year and providing for a quarter of the building’s energy demand.
This is expected to benefit Braintree District Council by more than £30,000 a year and reduce carbon emissions by 145 tonnes. As the developer of one of the largest local authority-owned rooftop PV programmes in the UK, Braintree District Council is making a clear long term commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability.
Cllr Robert Mitchell, Braintree District Council Deputy Cabinet Member with responsibility for Carbon Management, said: ‘After successfully installing solar panels at the Council offices in Braintree, we have embarked on a programme of commercial installations across our estate. This is locally generated energy that will reduce carbon emissions in the district while providing a sound investment for the Council and taxpayers. The income from this programme will be used to maintain local services. Our third installation of 246kW at Braintree Swimming Centre will hopefully be completed in a matter of weeks.’
Mark Johnson, divisional business manager for Fusion-Lifestyle, said: ‘Fusion is extremely pleased that Halstead Leisure Centre was chosen to have the energy saving Solar panels installed which will assist the running costs of the building and support Fusions pledge to develop green initiatives in its management of its leisure facilities. We look forward to the solar array switch on.’
Alan Tuohy, managing director of Playfords Limited, added: ‘We were delighted to have secured this contract with Braintree District Council, who share our vision for embracing renewable energy. This project is an excellent example of the use of Solar Photovoltaic technology. Halstead Leisure Centre is a big user of electricity for the running of the centre, and now it has its own energy source which can provide a substantial element of the electricity demands, which in turn reduces the reliance on grid connected electricity and gains the benefits of substantially reducing energy costs, while greatly improving the carbon footprint of the centre.’
