Solar panels at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre to power low carbon network
The Solar PV installation at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre is now complete, marking another major milestone in Solihull’s low-carbon journey. The 388 panels can generate 174.6kWp in clean electricity, while reducing the leisure centre’s electricity costs by approximately £28,000 per year.
The installation, which was funded by Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund (SPSF) is projected to supply 21% of the leisure centre’s annual electricity needs. Whilst 90% of the zero-carbon electricity generated will be utilised for the leisure centre, any surplus energy generated during peak times will be exported to Solihull’s nearby energy centre, which is currently under construction in Tudor Grange Park. The exported electricity will be used to run powerful air source heat pumps at the energy centre and distributed to other local buildings via the new energy network.
Solihull’s wider low-carbon energy network project will provide heat and power to public and private sector customers, including Council-owned buildings and education campuses. This innovative new network will help to reduce fuel bills and future-proof against changes in customer energy needs. It is intended that future phases will then connect other buildings in the town centre and link to planned commercial or residential developments in line with the Council’s Town Centre Masterplan.
“The completion of the Tudor Grange Solar PV marks an exciting milestone in bringing low carbon technologies to Solihull. By supplying cleaner power to the Leisure Centre, we are taking important steps forward in this low-carbon initiative. Our team at Vital Energi is proud to see this phase of the project completed and remains committed to driving progress on the town’s energy network. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Solihull Council as we move into the next stages of the scheme.”
Elsewhere, enabling works for the new energy network are in full swing, with pipework being laid through Tudor Grange Park and along Homer Road. Work is also progressing at pace at the all-important energy centre, where the building’s steel framework is taking shape.