Product category:
Solar Energy Services
News Release from: Solarcentury | Subject: C21e solar photovoltaic roof tiles
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 May 2008
Northern Ireland solar first for
Solarcentury
Solarcentury has completed the first installation of the company's C21e solar photovoltaic roof tiles in the education sector in Northern Ireland.
The installation at Ballyhome Primary school, Co Bangor, has been funded by Northern Ireland Electricity, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, and the South Eastern Education and Library Board The 6kWp C21e system is designed to closely resemble traditional roof tiles, and integrates with almost all conventional leading edge concrete roof tiles
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 18 Dec 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The system will generate around 5,400 units of solar power electricity every year, and save around 3,300 Kg CO2 being emitted into the local atmosphere every year.
Principal David Hewitt says the system was installed with a minimum of fuss, as part of the re-roofing programme.
"Using the power of the sun to energise our school makes good environmental sense.
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At Ballyholme Primary School safeguarding the future of our pupils is paramount, and substituting fossil fuel for solar power makes very good sense.
We are constantly looking for new ways to protect the local environment and the installation of PV at the school is a constant reminder to the pupils, teachers and parents that we can all play a part in protecting our future".
Andrew Baird, Northern Ireland Regional Sales Manager for Solarcentury comments: "Educational installations are extremely important for Solarcentury; not only are schools ideal facilities for solar PV, since they consume large amounts of energy through the day and generally have large, unshaded roof spaces, but solar panels can also play an important educative role.
If pupils see solar technology at work every day, they become aware of the usefulness of the technology, and their attitudes towards energy are influenced by this." A significant part of the installation is the monitor that displays the amount of electricity the solar tiles are generating at any one time.
Located in a prominent position inside the school, it shows the electricity output and the cumulative CO2 savings.
This serves as a constant reminder for pupils, staff and visitors, of the levels of CO2 that are being saved.
Delta Hamilton, NIE Energy Services, visited the school to see the new solar tiles in action.
"We are delighted to support the first installation of the new C21e roof tiles at Ballyholme Primary School.
The tiles blend seamlessly with the rest of the roof and require no ongoing maintenance.
Because the system was installed as part of the re-roofing programme, the project saved the cost of 480 conventional roof-tiles, and with 65% funding available from NIE and the Low Carbon Buildings Programme through its Switched On Schools initiative, installing solar panels is more financially viable than ever before".
Solar PV really is a 'fit and forget' option that is ideal for organisations in the public sector.
Dirt and debris are removed in the natural course of rainfall so maintenance costs are kept low, and with no moving parts there is virtually no risk of encountering technical difficulties.
Billy Mills, Energy and Environmental Officer for the South Eastern Education and Library Board says the Board is committed to reducing CO2 emissions and has been introducing renewable energy technologies where possible in properties throughout the Board area.
"In recent years we have installed PV and solar water heating at schools and Outdoor Education Centres.
We are delighted to be the first school in Northern Ireland to install this revolutionary new system that uses the world's most efficient solar technology.
"The Board feels they are doing something positive for the environment by substituting the burning of fossil fuels with solar power to generate electricity which reduces our CO2 emissions and will make considerable savings on our annual energy costs.".
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