Gazeley 'Blade', Sheffield
A single SB1000 unit, one of the many that make up the Energy Roof installation for Gazeley's Sheffield project.
Gazeley UK Ltd. are a leading provider of distribution centres across Europe. Having recognised the economic and environmental advantage of sustainable design and its impacts on the workplace, Gazeley are stringent about low energy designs throughout the conception, construction and operation of their buildings.
Such is Gazeley’s commitment to on-site renewable energy, that Solarcentury have recently developed a quick-to-fit, highly-productive PV solution for industrial roofs. The first installation of the SB1000 Energy Roof took place on the 48 acre site of the Gazeley ‘Blade’ warehouse, Sheffield. A total of 36 SB1000 solar rooftop generators, each rated at 1kWp, were installed to form the energy roof system without any structural upgrade costs.
Generating over 28,000 kWh each year, the system is likely to save the CO2 emissions equivalent of eight three-bedroom houses and provide 75% of the offices' electricity needs. For the fast-moving industry, the SB1000 energy roof system has been designed to slot simply into the work flow of a building project and provide a simple PV solution. The majority of the system is built offsite and can be installed in as little as four man hours per 1 kWp generator, with the role of roofers and electricians clearly split to provide a simple handover of trades. This is a critical factor for success, with the turnaround of modern commercial buildings as fast as ten weeks.
The example of Gazeley illustrates the sharp cuts in carbon emissions that can be achieved through the application of photovoltaics, which combined with other environmentally friendly technologies can make a significant positive impact on the environment.
