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One year after the installation of over 800 photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester City Council is seeing significant benefits, including an annual reduction of 55 tonnes of CO2.
This achievement is part of the council's ongoing commitment to low-carbon and energy-efficient upgrades to its buildings.
The 347kWp solar system, installed by construction partner Stepnell and its energy division Step Energy, has generated 285MWh of electricity in the past year, exceeding the projected 250.8MWh. CO2 savings were also 12% higher than expected, equivalent to planting 1,232 trees.
As part of the project, the leisure centre’s aging 3,600m² roof was replaced, and a new 1,800m² PV array with 828 south-facing panels was installed. The system, supported by five 50kW inverters, also included enhanced insulation to minimise heat loss.
Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: "The bespoke approach to renewable installation through Step Energy has enabled Aylestone Leisure Centre to maximise its renewable output and carbon savings.
"One year on its clear to see the savings benefits this has had and the value that such transformations can bring to public sector provision with local authorities. It is providing a substantial return on investment for the leisure centre and Leicester City Council and we anticipate growing demand for our Step Energy services as a result."
The work was supported by circa £500,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), forming part of Leicester City Council’s successful bid for more than £4 million of match-funding to support a range of projects that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Procured through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, the roof refurbishment has enabled the leisure centre to self-generate a large percentage of its energy requirements, reducing demand on the local electricity network and saving energy costs.
Based on the generation to date, cost savings are predicted to be circa £74,000, 114% of estimates, with the initial cost of installing the solar panels expected to be recouped through savings on electricity bills in approximately four years.
