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Solar Powered Students Have Energy to Succeed
Swansea Metropolitan University has given the biggest indication yet of its environmental credentials with the installation of a solar photovoltaic system on its Mount Pleasant campus.
Following successful planning permission, the panels were fitted onto the roof of the University’s Owen Library during the Easter holidays by Hereford-based company, Greenearth Energy. The system, which is made up of forty-five panels, will generate 8.1kW of electricity that will contribute to powering the library.
SWWHEP Energy Coordinator, Mark Blackmore said: “There will be a real-time display in the library showing what the panels are generating at any time. The panels will be linked to the internet so that their electricity generation can be viewed remotely and the information will be used in lectures within the University’s School of the Built and Natural Environment, where they teach environmental conservation and construction programmes.
As solar photovoltaic systems have no moving parts, they are very reliable and require little maintenance. The guarantee period of the panels, with respect to power output, continues for a total of twenty-five years from the date of purchase – the first ten years at 90% minimum-rated power output and the remaining fifteen years at 80% minimum-rated power output.
Mark continued: “Solar photovoltaic modules do not just die after this period and are likely to provide many more years of useful service. The inverters have a useful life of up to at least thirty years. As a grid connected system, electricity would be used directly within the building as it is generated. During times when the electricity demand was less than the amount generated, electricity would be exported to the national grid.”
Swansea Met’s Environment Manager, Elizabeth May said: “50% of the system’s cost comes from the Government’s ‘Low Carbon Building Programme’ and the other half will come from the University’s own funds, showing our commitment to sustainability.”
Within the past week, Swansea Met has received the Green Dragon Environmental Standard for its environmental management. The announcement was made by Groundwork, initiators of the Green Dragon certification and a leading local, regional and national environmental regeneration network building sustainable communities across Wales.
Last year, the University introduced a small wind and solar power generator onto one of the external campus lights, a small but crucial symbol of Swansea Met’s environmental intentions.
Figures released last year indicated that Swansea Met has produced the best figures in the UK for its low energy usage. The Higher Education Estates Management Statistics (EMS) for 2007/8 showed that the University uses less energy per square meter than any other higher education institution in the UK.
In addition, Swansea Met also produced the best carbon reduction figures in Wales, while coming top fourteen in the UK. These figures demonstrate the effectiveness of campaigns within the institution, aimed at staff and students, tackling issues such as sustainability and recycling. This year, the University has signed up to the national 10:10 carbon reduction campaign, with ten weeks of on-campus awareness raising activities.
Swansea Metropolitan University is regularly awarded for its environmental efforts, annually being commended at events such as the prestigious Green Gown Awards, NIACE/ Cyfanfyd Global Citizenship Awards, the SWWITCH Travel Awards and the Sustainable Swansea Awards.
Professor David Warner, Vice Chancellor of Swansea Metropolitan University, commented “We have a very pro-active approach here at Swansea Met regarding the reduction of energy usage and we employ lots of different and innovative tactics. These not only contribute to the greater planetary issues but also help us to save quite a lot of money.”