CIS create global solar icon on Manchester skyline

Co-operative Insurance Society HQ in Manchester will be covered in solar panels converting light into electricity.

Insurance giant Co-operative Insurance Society HQ in Manchester will be covered in solar panels converting light into electricity.

The building, known locally as the CIS Tower, is the tallest office building outside of London and is the dominant feature on the Manchester skyline.

When the project is complete, it will be the largest vertical solar cladding project in Europe and the largest solar power system in the UK.

Dr Jeremy Leggett, solarcentury CEO and Member of the Governments Renewable Advisory Board said: "This project demonstrates on an impressive scale that solar technologies can be used to create beautiful buildings".

" Normally functionless cladding can be replaced by aesthetic solar cladding, often at a cheaper price, hence providing clean renewable electricity for free".

" Given that around 50% of all UK carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings, this is a huge new step forward on the road to cutting those emissions".

solarcentury have provided the solar design expertise for the project from the outset and will be responsible for supplying the solar technology and advising the project team on the integration of the solar array into the building.

The solar modules will be manufactured by Sharp, the worlds leading photovoltaics manufacturer and a key solarcentury technology partner.

At 391 kilowatts of installed power covering 3,200 square metres and generating 180,000 units of electricity per year, this will be solarcenturys largest installation to date.

Andy Bodycombe, solarcenturys head of project management, said: "The project demonstrates how solar technology can blend easily with standard cladding technologies to make the seemingly exotic, but in fact environmentally imperative, mainstream".

The ambitious £5.5m solar project, is being supported by grants from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The DTIs Major PV Demonstration Programme is managed by the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

To find out more about PV and obtaining a DTI funded grant contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 298 3978 or log onto www.est.org.uk/solar.

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