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Centenary Solar Installation for Energy4All’s Mike Smyth

Centenary Solar Installation for Energy4All's Mike Smyth

The installation of solar panels on the roof of Salisbury Cathedral’s cloisters was already a momentous occasion as it demonstrated the historical Cathedral’s twenty-first century commitment to help tackle climate change.  However, the moment also made history for Energy4All’s Mike Smyth as it marked the centenary solar installation that he has been involved with.

Mike’s first solar installation was a 50kW solar system on Rodborough School in Surrey.  This was commissioned in September 2011 by the then newly formed Wey Valley Solar Schools Energy Co-operative and holds fond memories to Mike as this is his local school.  The one hundredth installation at Salisbury Cathedral saw the installation of a 36.8kW solar system take place nine years later in July 2020.

Mike has always been passionately concerned about the environment and proudly chaired the Board of Friends of the Earth Trust up until 2012.  Since 2008 he has been very much involved with the Energy4All family where he is now volunteer chair at both Energy4All and The Schools’ Energy Co-operative as well as Wey Valley Solar Schools Energy Co-operative.

Rodborough School

Schools Energy Co-operative installation of solar panels on Salisbury Cathedral

Salisbury Cathedral takes a step forward in bid to become carbon neutral by 2030 with the installation of 93 solar panels

Salisbury Cathedral has taken a step forward in their bid to become carbon neutral by 2030 in line with targets agreed earlier this year by the Church of England by installing solar panels on the roof of its cloisters.

Energy4All member The Schools’ Energy Co-operative, working in partnership with local community energy organisation Salisbury Community Energy, delivered the installation, which was designed and installed by leading PV installer Joju Solar and managed by Energy4All project manager Laura Moreno.

The project has been under development since late 2017, when Salisbury Community Energy first approached the Cathedral about a possible installation.  In 2019, Salisbury Community Energy formed a partnership with Schools Energy Co-operative to deliver the project.  Supported by Energy4All, Schools Energy Co-operative raised the funds needed in November 2019 by means of a local community share offer.  Planning permission was then granted in March of this year.  The panels are collectively funded by ethical investors, many local to Salisbury, who want to encourage more renewable energy generation.

Salisbury Cathedral press release
Photography by Ash Mills | www.ashmills.com

Located high on the South Cloister roof, the panels can only be seen briefly by visitors who are climbing the Spire and are not visible from the ground therefore taking nothing away from the splendour of this historic building.

The 37 kW installation was completed at the start of July and will provide 33,708 kWh of clean energy to Salisbury Cathedral, reducing its carbon footprint by 11,764 kilograms per year.

Commenting after the completion of the installation, Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury said “The Church of England is working hard towards a Net Zero carbon footprint by 2030. As the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, I am delighted that Salisbury Cathedral is making a contribution that takes us towards this.  With clear purpose and helpful partnerships even iconic buildings can make a difference towards sustainability.”

Canon Robert Titley, Canon Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral added “We are delighted to be the second English cathedral to install solar panels as part of our continuing green initiatives, which have included draft proofing our medieval building, moving to green tariff energy and installing LED lighting.

“We are called to preach good news, and through this, we are taking another small step toward being good news for God’s earth and not just part of the problem.”

On behalf of Salisbury Community Energy, Director Thomas Burnett said “We are delighted to have been able to work with our partners to make this installation happen. It was always a very important site for Salisbury Community Energy as it sends a strong message. We hope it will galvanise others to follow suit.”

These comments were echoed by Mike Smyth, Chairman of School Energy Cooperative.  “Schools Energy Co-op recognises the very prestigious nature of this iconic heritage building, along with the sensitivity required to preserve its appearance and structure. The panels are discreetly placed out of sight, but demonstrate that renewable technology can be compatible with historic architecture, thus satisfying aesthetics and environmental responsibility. It is hoped that this provides an example for other churches to follow.” He said.

Salisbury Cathedral press release
Photo above shows Rt Rev Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury
Salisbury cathedral press release
Canon Robert Titley pictured with Members of Salisbury Community Energy
Salisbury Cathedral press release
James Page from Joju Solar installing the grids
Salisbury Cathedral press release
Canon Robert Titley with Laura Moreno, Director, Schools Energy Co-op.

More photographs of the installation can be found here

Schools’ Energy Co-operative is an award winning, successful, ethical, community based, profitable social enterprise. It has raised £2,950,000 from five share offers, invested the money in installing Solar Panels on schools and community buildings and paid interest to its members on their investment. It launched in August 2014 and has already generated more than 6.4 GWh of renewable electricity. Salisbury Cathedral is its 81st installation, which are mainly on schools and total 2.99 MW.  www.schools-energy-coop.co.uk

Salisbury Community Energy (SCE) is a local not-for-profit community benefit society that was set-up in 2017 to help Salisbury decarbonise and manage the threats posed by climate change. It received grant funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund to identify potential sites for Solar Panels and hydro generators. The four other solar PV sites installed in partnership with Schools’ Energy Co-operative are: Bishops Wordsworth’s School, Kong Limited, St. Martin’s Primary School and Wiltshire College.  www.salisburycommunityenergy.co.uk

Joju Solar are one of the UK’s leading installers of solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.  Joju have been pioneering within the community energy sector and to date have installed nearly 20% of all community renewable energy projects in the country.  www.jojusolar.co.uk

New Transmitter fitted at West Solent Solar Co-op

New transmitter fitted at West Solent Solar Co-operative

West Solent Solar Cooperative (WSSC) has just completed the installation of a brand-new ABB cast resin transformer at their Lymington solar farm.

The ABB model replaces the original oil transformer which had developed problems. The ABB unit is compact enough to fit within the existing transformer cabin and meets marine specifications (vital for its coastal location). It is also equipped with integral cooling fans and temperature controls to ensure it cannot overheat.

The work has been successfully completed by managing contractor, Arun Construction Services Ltd, along with subcontractors Burnell Switchgear and Control, and Portable Space Ltd, who all provided a very neat installation not only within a tight timescale, but also within a very tight space as can be seen from this picture!

The project was directed by WSSC with technical support from consultant electrical engineer, Paul Carder of Power System Consulting Ltd and Geoff Hodge of Fundamentals Ltd.

WSSC Transmitter
WSSC Transmitter fitting