Solar panel installation to provide significant savings at leisure hub
A series of solar panels are being installed on the roof of Selby Leisure and Wellbeing Hub in a move that is set to significantly reduce swimming pool energy costs.
The project is expected to provide an estimated annual saving of more than £21,900* and contribute to carbon savings from the site.
The upgrades which will see 216 solar panels fitted reinforces North Yorkshire Council’s continued ambition to work towards becoming net zero by 2030.
The installation is being overseen by our sustainability experts and engineers at Align, the council’s multi-disciplinary building design consultancy.
Steven Watts, technical director of electrical engineering at Align, said: “The fitting of these solar panels will greatly assist in driving down energy costs and carbon emissions associated with electricity usage at this premises.
“We are passionate about sustainability and work closely with a number of local authorities across the country to offer advice on ways to improve the energy efficiency of their property portfolio.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Greg White, whose responsibilities include climate change and carbon reduction, said: “It is vitally important that we continue to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and public buildings.
“This project reinforces our wider commitment to supporting renewable energy by using technology, with the over-arching ambition of reducing our carbon footprint.”
Preparatory work on the roof began last week and the £100,000 project is expected to be completed by the end of March.
It has been financed by Sport England’s swimming pool support fund, which is made up of £40 million of government money for capital investment improving the energy efficiency of public facilities as well as £20 million of lottery funding.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, whose responsibilities include leisure, said: “These solar panels will help lead to a significant reduction in energy costs from the pool at a time when prices continue to remain high.
“This project is good news for everyone at Active North Yorkshire Selby– it will allow us to make vital savings on energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, while ensuring we continue to offer the best leisure facilities possible for our communities.”
* The electricity produced as a result of the solar installation has an expected annual cost saving of £21,988.26, assuming a consistent cost of £0.245/kWh and estimated annual energy generation of 89,748.00kWh.
