One year following the installation of more than 800 new photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of Aylestone Leisure Centre, Leicester City Council is reaping the benefits of saving 55 tonnes of CO2 annually through its continued investment into low carbon, energy efficient improvements to council buildings.

Delivered by Step Energy on behalf of Stepnell, the 347kWp system has generated 285MWh over the past 12 months, surpassing its 250.8 MWh predictions. Its CO2 savings were also 12% greater than forecasted, with the savings equating to planting 1,232 trees.

The project involved the replacement of the leaky 3,600m2 roof at the leisure centre with the installation of a new 1,800m2 array of photovoltaic panels. The 828 PV panels were mounted in a south facing ballasted array with five 50KW Inverters, with new insulation fitted to reduce heat loss.

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 Construction 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.