"Using sustainable energy sources is a positive way forward and we are already seeing income generated from the feed-in-tariffs on the panels installed at Wave Leisure."

 

James Page, Lewes District Council November 2012

 

Wave Leisure Centre in Lewes is owned and run by Lewes District Council; it uses a particularly large amount of energy. The council wanted to look into ways in which it could lower the centre's electricity bills and, thus, save itself some quite serious money. Solar energy especially appealed to the council, as a system would not only enable them to cut their bills, it would also allow the council to slash its carbon footprint and benefit from the Feed-in Tariff - creating a real investment opportunity. Subsequently, they approached Southern Solar about installing an array on the south-facing roof of the leisure centre.

The council decided upon a 43.35kW Solar PV system, based on options and payback estimations provided by Southern Solar. it is predicted that the 184 solar panels that have been installed will help reduce the centre's CO2 emissions by around 25 tonnes every year.

The solar array turned out to be such a success at the Wave Leisure Centre that Lewes DC went on to install another system at Seaford Downs Leisure Centre, this time of 26.35kW capacity. This should strip an extra 14 Tonnes of CO2 a year from the council's annual total, making 38.67 Tonnes altogether each year. Given that these systems should last for the next 30-40 years at least, that will turn out to be a good-sized chunk and something the council can truly be proud of.