Flagship development boasts Bath’s biggest array of solar panels

Bath & North East Somerset Council’s flagship office development at Bath Quays South now boasts the biggest array of solar panels in the city.

224 PV panels, which cover an area half the size of a five-a-side football pitch, have been installed on the roof of No1 Bath Quays and will provide the building with a reliable source of renewable energy helping to ensure a lower long-term carbon footprint. 

The panels, which cost 100k to purchase and install, have a predicted output of 84kWp.

Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy leader and cabinet member for Resources and Economic Development said: “As a council we’re committed to tackling the Climate Emergency and we must lead by example. On-site micro generation of electricity will ensure that No1 Bath Quays is awarded an ‘A’ Energy Efficiency Certification.  This is something businesses look for as they strive for the highest green credentials and it will help to protect the rental value of the building. The PV panels will also generate an important revenue stream and over their lifetime will return a small profit to the council.”

No1 Bath Quays is the first new office building to be constructed in Bath for a generation and forms part of the four-and-a-half-acre Bath Quays regeneration project providing the city with new space for business, life and culture.

The wider development blends historic buildings with contemporary architecture and offers office accommodation alongside 150 apartments together with ground floor retail and leisure facilities.

No1 Bath Quays incorporates a host of passive design and energy efficiency measures to reduce its CO2 emissions including a special coating on the windows to reduce heat loss and gain.  

The building also benefits from direct access to the city via a footbridge over the River Avon and more than 100 cycle spaces, to encourage office workers to use active modes of travel. It also provides two electric vehicle charge points with the potential to install more. 

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel said: “Buildings are responsible for a large proportion of the world’s emissions and the building sector has huge potential to significantly reduce this with relatively straightforward changes to construction, from using renewable energy sources to installing LED and smart lighting systems.

“Using the roof space of No1 Bath Quays to harness power from the sun was an obvious way to reduce the building’s reliance on fossil fuels and we’ve worked hard to incorporate low and zero carbon technologies within the building. While economic development is vitally important we are showing it can be achieved while being mindful of the impact on our planet.”

No1 Bath Quays is currently being marketed by Knight Frank.

For more information about the development visit : http://no1bathquays.co.uk/