NEW solar panels have been installed at the leisure centre in Bradley Stoke as part of a major £390k scheme.
The panels cover 1,875m2 of the leisure centre’s roof on Fiddler’s Wood Lane.
They will be able to generate more than 360,000 kilowat hours (kWh) of clean energy and save 75 tonnes of carbon a year.
Officials say that in summer, the panels will convert enough daylight/sunlight into electrical energy to power the entire 7,000m2 site.
This includes electricity for the swimming pool, exercise machines, pumps and lighting for the centre, without needing any power from the grid.
Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre is the first centre in the area to have their new panels as part of the scheme with South Gloucestershire Council and the Circadian Trust.
Next a new solar panel system will be installed at Yate Leisure Centre.
Ian Jones, Circadian Trust Director of building and environment, said: “These PVs are a game changer.
“They’ve been live at Bradley Stoke since January this year and, with the lighter days, we are already seeing a huge difference, with up to £5K a month in energy savings.
“Since 2005, we have had a continuous improvement programme to reduce our carbon footprint.
“Various initiatives such as LED lighting, new swimming pool covers, and BMS Building Management Systems have made a big difference to both our energy consumption and costs.
“We believe that for us to help our community stay truly healthy, we must also ensure the buildings are in the very best of fitness too.
“This means reducing waste and pollution and ensuring we can re-invest to keep the facilities in tip top condition.”
South Gloucestershire Council’s cabinet member responsible for climate, Cllr Louise Harris said: “We’re really pleased to work with Circadian on this project and see the solar panel installation at Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre completed, which will boost local renewable energy generation.
“As well as carrying out projects on our own buildings and land, the council’s aim is to help residents and businesses to play their part in lowering carbon emissions for the benefit of the area.
“We’ve been supporting hundreds of residents to generate renewable energy at home through the group-buying solar panel scheme Solar Together, which along with initiatives such as this, will help put South Gloucestershire in the best possible position to face future challenges together.”
The photovoltaic system, or PV for short, has been designed, installed, and will be maintained by Ineco Energy.
Ineco Energy Director, Adam Peat, said: “Circadian and South Gloucestershire Council’s commitment to invest in PV across their leisure portfolio demonstrates their serious approach to healthy people, buildings and communities while also supporting their wider 2030 carbon neutral ambitions.
“We have been delighted to be part of this partnership approach to deliver carbon reduction through clean energy and the reinvestment of the financial savings back into the local community.
“Circadian is showing how PV can really help to make a difference to the leisure industry across the UK in their drive to enhance customer experience, deliver a more sustainable operation and reduce their operating costs.”
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