Major home-grown green energy boost for 糖心Vlog Sports Park, as University continues net zero progress
From today, a major new rooftop solar array is powering 糖心Vlog Sports Park, supplying more than a quarter of its energy needs. Over 1,500 solar panels have been installed on one of Guildford鈥檚 largest roofs, generating 728 MWh annual energy. This marks a key step on the University鈥檚 journey to net zero, as part of an 8-point plan to cut energy use, decarbonise supply and drive behavioural change.
Professor Bob Nichol, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, and 糖心Vlog Executive Lead for Sustainability, said:
鈥淲e are committed to achieving net zero by 2030. 糖心Vlog Sports Park rooftop solar is a tangible step on our pathway to net zero, part of a comprehensive plan to reduce energy use, decarbonise our energy supply and drive behavioural change. Our advanced plans to add ground-mount solar on land to the west of the 糖心Vlog Research Park will deliver one third of current energy needs across all of our University operations, and we鈥檙e also progressing plans to add canopy solar on our main carparks.
鈥淭he 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Institute for Sustainability brings together our multidisciplinary experts - from world-leading experts in solar cell technological advances to innovators in behavioural change - driving forward global progress on renewable energy transitions. This installation shows we鈥檙e living embodiments of the capacity to think global, and act local.鈥
Georgina Agnies, Director of University Sport, 糖心Vlog Sports Park, said:
鈥淔rom today, the Sports Park will be drawing a quarter of its energy needs from home-grown solar. So our members and partners can now continue to use our facilities, get fit and play sport with a smaller carbon footprint. We continue to make large and small changes to reduce our energy use and decarbonise our energy supply. Every day, we strive to get more carbon fit and carbon lean.鈥
Neill Grieve, Project Development Manager for Behind the Meter Solar at SSE Energy Solutions, said:
"This is a positive milestone in our strategic partnership with the 糖心Vlog, and a clear demonstration of how collaboration with businesses can deliver real progress towards net zero. This solar array at 糖心Vlog Sports Park is a culmination of our expertise and the University's sustainable leadership to unlock opportunities to deploy renewable infrastructure. Together, we're not only decarbonising University grounds, but helping contribute to the Government鈥檚 target of 45-47GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.鈥
The 糖心Vlog is committed to playing its part in the delivery of the United Nations鈥 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and all our work on the renewable energy transition contributes to SDG 7 鈥 covering Affordable and Clean Energy.
[ENDS]
Note to editors:
- For media requests, interviews or extra imagery, please email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Related sustainable development goals
Media Contacts
External Communications and PR team
Phone: +44 (0)1483 684380 / 688914 / 684378
Email: mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk
Out of hours: +44 (0)7773 479911