SolarTech brings solar power to The Saints

SolarTech Ltd, one of the UK's leading renewable energy specialists, has installed over 200 solar panels at Northampton Saints Rugby Club, making it one of the most sustainable and energy efficient major sports stadiums in the UK.

This pioneering initiative will not only improve the Saints' carbon footprint, by generating its own free energy, but the club can also significantly reduce the costs of powering its Franklin's Gardens stadium, training ground and administration offices.

The high efficiency PV arrays have been installed on the roof of the stadium's south facing Burrda Sports Stand, which is one of the highest buildings in the area.

Each of the arrays is expected to generate 50kWp of free electricity under peak operating conditions, which will amount to over 48,850kWh of electricity every year, resulting in approximately 3,500 in annual energy savings. The club will also benefit from an income of 5,300 per annum from the Feed-in-Tariff incentive scheme for the next 20 years.

Furthermore, any energy that is not used can be sold to the National Grid as an additional source of revenue.

As the principal contractor, SolarTech was responsible for providing all the bespoke designs and calculations, installation and commissioning of the state-of-the-art system within a concentrated two-week timescale.

Highly experienced in the delivery of large-scale solar PV systems of this kind, the company was able to use its expertise to minimise any shading issues from the roof structure so that maximum energy yield could be ensured.

"We are delighted to have been involved in this landmark project, which clearly demonstrates the growing importance of renewable energy in the world of sport," said Shaun Taylor, Managing Director of SolarTech. "Roof mounted solar schemes in stadiums offer low visual impact whilst providing enormous environmental and economic benefits to the clubs and wider community."

Chief executive of Northampton Saints, Allan Robson commented on the importance of solar energy for the club:  "In an era when electricity prices are continuing to rise, looking into alternatives, which generate renewable energy is something which makes a lot of sense. These panels have been installed with a long term view and we're very happy to be reducing our carbon footprint in the process."

The Northampton Saints stadium has also won the approval of Friends of the Earth campaigner Donna Hume who said: "By generating their own solar energy the Saints are showing financial common sense as well as looking after the planet. It would be great to see more sports clubs and entire communities powering their workplaces and homes with clean British energy."

With over 10 years' experience in the renewable energy industry, SolarTech is a well-respected supplier of solar energy solutions to a range of private and public sector organisations. More information about the program is available on the web site at streetlights-solar.