Charlbury Community Centre has taken a big step towards becoming carbon neutral and self-sufficient in energy. A newly installed system of solar panels supported by large battery capacity was officially switched on at a well-attended event held on 21st March.
The solar project is expected to cut carbon emissions by nearly 6,000 kg in the first year -equivalent to driving a car 21,000 miles- while the building’s annual energy costs should be £3,500 lower than previously.
Move towards zero carbon emissions
Sustainable Charlbury contributed £28,000 toward the £35,000 total cost of the installation. 75 new solar panels, located on the roof, are expected to generate nearly 29,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of climate-friendly, zero-carbon electricity a year, covering more than 60 percent of the Community Centre’s energy use over 12 months, 75 percent in summer.
The new system also includes new battery units with 50 kWh of storage capacity. The batteries enable solar power generated during daylight to be stored and used later after dark. In addition to the climate benefits of renewable energy, this keeps electricity costs down. Home-generated solar power is much cheaper than power imported from the grid.
Battery helps lower energy bills
When the batteries are full due to solar generation, any surplus power is exported to the grid, earning revenue. Conversely, the system imports power that must be paid for from the grid when the batteries are low and solar generation is insufficient.
But it is unlikely that solar energy will be stored in the batteries for long periods as the Centre is in constant use from 9 in the morning until well into the evening.
Increasing the use of self-generated renewable energy creates a more resilient power supply that is less exposed to crises in international energy markets – a point underscored by the current turmoil in the Middle East, which has seen oil and gas prices spike to near record levels.
Local contractor
Lumos PV Power Systems carried out the work after a competitive tendering process. They were selected because they put in the cheapest bid and are a locally based company. Their system replaces a smaller, much less efficient set up of solar panels installed eight years ago that had lower generating capacity and no battery support.
The new system’s energy performance can be monitored via an easy to understand, interactive digital display which is available for everyone to see, located near reception in the café and library area.
The £28,000 grant from Sustainable Charlbury represents the last installment of a commitment to contribute up to £100,000 towards energy-efficient lighting and heating at Charlbury Community Centre made some years ago, as a condition for obtaining planning approval to build Southill Solar farm (which is run by Southill Community Energy).
“It’s great that revenues from solar generation at Southill are contributing to further emissions savings by creating solar capacity at the Community Centre – a virtuous circle indeed!” Liz Reason, chair of Southill Community Energy
