University of Cambridge solar PV

OVERVIEW

We were appointed by Imtech Engineering, which was working for the contractor BAM Construction on two construction lots of eight in the first phase of the North West Cambridge Development.

The North West Cambridge Development is a new, 150-hectare district and one of the largest capital projects in the University of Cambridge’s history.

When completed, it will provide 1,500 affordable homes for university and college staff, 1,500 houses for private sale, accommodation for 2,000 graduates, and 100,000 sqm of academic and research space.

To give context to the scale of the development, there will also be a primary school, health centre, hotel, care home, sports centre, public open spaces, supermarket and local shops.

CHALLENGE

The University of Cambridge took the opportunity to affect the built environment for its new 150-hectare district and encourage sustainability throughout as it seeks a BREEAM Excellent and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.

SOLUTION

To help achieve this, we designed and installed a large solar panel array with nearly 1,500 panels fitted on 12 units in lots 1 and 3. Across the wider development, 5,000 panels have been installed in the first phase of development.

For lots 1 and 3, we managed the entire process from design, supply and installation to complying with building and planning regulations.

Solar was ideally suited to the large rooftop arrays and plays a key role in the development’s long-term energy reduction strategy, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and energy bills.

RESULTS

Of the G&H installed PV, the end result is that the 373kW array will cut energy use by over 298,000kWh.