Photovoltaic Glass in New Solarium

Lancashire Double Glazing Group in Preston has recently completed the largest photovoltaic roof installation in Britain. Raymond Wood Commercial is a specialist in Architectural Aluminium Contracts and has been part of the Lancashire Double Glazing Group since 1984.

The project involved the total refurbishment and upgrade of what was a derelict sea front solarium. The installation of the roof consisted of 145 double glazed panels covering 232 sq. metres. This comprised 6870 photovoltaic cells. A PV panel uses a semiconductor to turn energy from sunlight into electricity and overall the whole photovoltaic installation will generate approximately 18KW and will save approximately 5.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

The main contractor was Carefoot PLC and the building, since renamed The Solaris Centre, has been nominated for the top environment award and short-listed for the Local Government Awards this year.

With 2 No. 6KW wind turbines aiding the power supply and all of the rainwater being recycled it is possibly the most energy efficient commercial building in the British Isles.

Lancashire Double Glazing Group's Managing Director, Mr. W. Forsyth commented that ' not only is this a showcase of the Group's ability to carry out high profile, prestige and technically difficult and innovative contracts, but is an example of a modern architectural structure that will form the gateway to Blackpool's Master Development Plan should they secure the funding.'

Posted: 01/02/2005