Low and zero carbon building

Business: Carillion Regional Building

Date: 2007

Location: Bracknell

Business benefits included gaining experience on installation of photovoltaic’s and reduced energy consumption for the client.

Community benefits were that high profile community building with alternative energy source.

On the East Oxford Health Centre project there was an Oxford City Council planning requirement that the project should include renewables. A study was carried out and proposals were submitted to introduce a photovoltaic system to power the flat roof and plant area lighting installations. The planners were happy with the proposals and Carillion appointed a specialist supplier to install the system. The installation went well and system works as planned.

The installation of the system was left until all other works on the flat roof were completed as the as the panels are easily damaged. One consideration for future installations is that there needs to be good access to the area where the panels are set up. This is because the panels can easily be damaged and a large quantity of ballast is required to weigh the units down.