Solarsense have been awarded “Best Project” at the 2016 British Renewable Energy Awards.

Now in its eleventh year, the awards celebrate some of the most innovative and ground breaking individuals, organisations and products that have advanced the progress of renewable energy in the UK.

This is the second year running that Solarsense have won the “project” category after the Croyde Cottage installation won over the judges in 2015.

Speaking after the awards Stephen Barrett, Managing Director said; “We are proud to be classed as an innovative company and place a great deal of emphasis on the quality of our installations, it’s great to have this acknowledged by industry experts”.

For a full list of the winners please click here to be redirected to the Renewable Energy Association website.

Project details

The Nottingham University solar PV project impressed the judges with its design, complexity and aesthetics.

The system was completed in February 2016 and was designed with the latest technologies to displace the CO2 expended in the construction of the building, allowing it to be completely carbon neutral over its lifetime. On top of this the excess energy created by the building has been designed to provide heating to the nearby office development on campus.

The Nottingham University system combines both traditional roof mounted solar panels and building integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV) in the form of semi-transparent glass roof lights above the winter garden feature of the building.

Not only is the building nearly 100% recyclable at the end of its design life but the project demonstrates how architects can use solar PV as a design feature rather than just an add-on, playing a large role in advancing renewables as a whole.

In addition to the above the building will achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, this requires a score of 85 or more and puts the building in the top 2% of buildings constructed.

System details

Client: Morgan Sindall / University of Nottingham

Sector: Schools & Education

System Size: 230.91 kWp

Estimated Annual Output: 203,018 kWh

Annual CO2 Emissions Offset: 119.5 tonnes

Project images