last updated 10th March 05
by 4ecotips.com

Photovoltaics save “bodyweight of 11 politians”

Vauxhall Cross Transport Interchange and Walworth Bus now both benefit from roof top solar photovoltaic systems, which silently generate energy for the buildings using nothing more than daylight. Solarcentury, a leading UK solar photovoltaic company designed and project managed both systems.

At the opening of the new Transport Interchange at Vauxhall Cross, Mayor Ken Livingstone joked that since the roof top solar PV system was commissioned two months ago it has generated enough clean electricity to avoid the emission of green house gas carbon dioxide equivalent to the "bodyweight of 11 politicians".

The striking ‘fork’ structure at Vauxhall Cross reaches skyward, capturing enough solar energy to provide a third of the 24-hour bus station’s energy demand. Walworth Bus Garage, opened a century ago and recently redeveloped, now becomes the first bus garage in London to be solar powered with a simple roof mounted solar array.

This energy helps to power machines, which is used to maintain part of the London Buses fleet. Together both systems will prevent the emission of 27 tonnes of CO2 every year.