last updated 13th October 05
By 4ecotips

Highlights technology's urban viability

A leading UK solar energy company, solarcentury, joined forces with Hammerson UK Properties to install 494 solar panels into the roof of the new Bishops Square development in the City of London's Spitalfields area.

The photovoltaic (PV) installation, which is the first of its kind with 'the square mile', was supported by a £180,000 grant from the DTI's Major Demonstration Programme.

Jeremy Leggett, chief executive of solarcentury, says: "This installation, the first of its kind anywhere within the City of London, highlights the viability of photovoltaics as a practical urban energy source. Almost every new development project has the potential to incorporate some renewable energy generation and hopefully Hammerson's project will encourage others to follow suit.

"Communicating the benefits of renewable energy is essential to their proliferation and the bespoke display unit at Spitalfields should really help the buildings occupants and the public understand what a valuable installation this is.

Solarcentury design and install solar energy systems for commercial developers, house builders, private industries and the public sector with projects ranging from one off grid stand-alone systems, to fully building integrated solutions.

Since 1999 solarcentury have helped more organisations reduce their carbon dioxide emissions using solar energy than any other UK company.