Bristol Zoo Gardens is celebrating the installation of a third solar PV system – helping to power the Zoo with clean renewable energy, cut its bills and reduce its carbon footprint.

The 30 kWp system is mounted on the flat roof of the zoo’s Bug World building, covering an area the size of three squash courts. It will generate more than 22,645 units of electricity (equivalent to the annual energy use of six average sized homes) and avoid 11.9 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, as well as being a clear demonstration of the Zoo’s commitment to sustainability.

Tim Wilson, Director of Estates at Bristol Zoo, said: “We are very keen to promote the use of renewable energy at Bristol Zoo wherever possible. We use a lot of electricity to light the indoor enclosures, operate the pumps in the aquarium and to keep dozens of heat lamps for the reptiles, for instance.  We cannot turn down the thermostat to save energy, but we can be as sustainable as possible and this new solar system will achieve that. It makes environmental sense and it makes financial sense – it is a success story all round.”

This is the not the first time Solarsense have installed at the zoo. An initial 46kWp installation was installed on the Zoo’s veterinary building in 2011.

David Snape, Commercial Sales Manager of Solarsense, said “It’s great to be back working with Bristol Zoo. This 120 module solar installation provides a simple long-term solution to on-site energy generation, protecting the Zoo from rising energy prices and helping to further reduce its carbon footprint.”