Solar arrays for Glasgow’s landmark buildings

Kelvin Hall, Emirates Arena and the Royal Concert Hall among buildings in the Scottish city considered in new scheme that aims to save £750,000 in energy costs per year, over a lifespan of 25 years. 

Detailed feasibility studies on installing solar panels will be undertaken on a total of 50 properties on the council estate. As well as the landmark buildings, the properties include schools, day care centres and leisure centres.  

Emirates Arena in Glasgow, photo by Cutkiller2018

The arrays are estimated to have a maximum output of 3,700 peak kilowatts (kWp). Almost all the energy generated will be used in the buildings where the panels are located. 

The council will provide £2 in funding for the initial phase of the scheme, which will also draw in match funding from Salix, the UK Government body that manages solar panel funding on behalf of the Scottish and Welsh Governments, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Scottish Funding Council. 

Cllr Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate, says: ‘Heating and power are responsible for most of Glasgow’s carbon output and so tapping into renewable energy sources wherever we can is a vital part of our effort to tackle the causes of climate change. 

‘Increasing the number of our public buildings hosting solar panels gives us a win twice over. Not only does it help us move further away from a damaging reliance on fossil fuels to power our estate, but it will also give us access to cheaper, sustainable energy that will support our work to deliver quality public services. 

 ‘The potential savings from the use of solar power are significant and the cost of the investment in this scheme will be recovered in a short number of years. Buildings such as Kelvin Hall and the Emirates Arena have been lined up for early inclusion in this project, but we are looking at many other buildings across the city. 

 ‘Wherever it’s feasible, we will look to use solar energy in the city and help carry Glasgow closer to net zero.’ 

 Glasgow Council currently operates 33 solar panel arrays on rooftops across the city, which generate 616,000 kilowatts of energy per hour (kWh). 

In related news, a newly installed solar array on the roof of North Kesteven District Council’s own building will reduce the building’s electricity bill by 21%, pay for itself in under seven years and save more than 14 tonnes of CO2 per year.