Bath’s biggest array of solar panels is now in place on the new flagship office development at the city’s Quays South regeneration area.
Some 224 PV panels have been installed on the roof of the No1 Bath Quays building. Covering an area half the size of a five-a-side football pitch, they will provide it with a reliable source of renewable energy, helping to ensure a lower long-term carbon footprint.
The panels, which cost £100,000 to buy and install, have a predicted output of 84kWp.
They will also generate an important revenue stream and over their lifetime will return a small profit to Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), which has developed No1 Bath Quays.
The building incorporates a host of other passive design and energy efficiency measures to reduce its CO2 emissions, including a special coating on the windows to reduce heat loss and gain.
It also benefits from more than 100 cycle spaces to encourage office workers to use active modes of travel and direct access to the city centre via a footbridge over the River Avon. Two electric vehicle charge points have been installed with the potential for more.
No1 Bath Quays is the first new office building to be constructed in Bath for a generation and forms part of the 4.5-acre Bath Quays regeneration project, providing the city with new space for business, life and culture.
The wider development blends historic buildings with contemporary architecture. As well as office accommodation it will include 150 apartments with ground-floor retail and leisure facilities.
B&NES deputy leader and cabinet member for resources and economic development, Cllr Richard Samuel, pictured, said as the council was committed to tackling the climate emergency it must lead by example.
“On-site micro generation of electricity will ensure that No1 Bath Quays is awarded an ‘A’ Energy Efficiency Certification.
“This is something businesses look for as they strive for the highest green credentials and it will help to protect the rental value of the building.”
Deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and sustainable travel, Cllr Sarah Warren, said buildings were responsible for a large proportion of the world’s emissions and the construction sector had huge potential to significantly reduce this with relatively straightforward changes to construction, from using renewable energy sources to installing LED and smart lighting systems.
“Using the roof space of No1 Bath Quays to harness power from the sun was an obvious way to reduce the building’s reliance on fossil fuels,” she added.
“We’ve worked hard to incorporate low and zero carbon technologies within the building. While economic development is vitally important, we are showing it can be achieved while being mindful of the impact on our planet.”
No1 Bath Quays is being marketed by property agency Knight Frank.
