solar for Spitalfields - PV meets the square mile
Published: 06 October 2005
Today marks the launch of the new Bishops Square development in Spitalfields, where weh ave joined forces with Hammerson UK Properties to install 494 Sharp solar panels to generate clean, renewable energy for the offices.
Hundreds of people gathered in Bishops Square to witness the official opening by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, The speeches were closely followed by a spectacular aerial dance performance during which red smoke billowed from the roof, feathers fell from above and flares were lit by performers on the ground.
The photovoltaic installation is the first of its kind within 'the square mile' and will prevent over 23 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the city air. It will generate (NOT use!) enough electricity to power 18 average three-bed houses every year.
Bishops Square, developed by Hammerson plc and the Corporation of London, was designed by award winning architects Foster and Partners. We have worked with the partners and have provided specialised PV knowledge and design expertise to develop an optimal, cost effective solution for the new offices. The PV replaced louvres that were included in the original design, to provide the added benefit of shading to the plant deck area. The offices are to be let to international law firm Allen and Overy who will benefit from a considerable reduction in their energy bills, as a result of the PV installation.
Our CEO, Jeremy Leggett, commented: "This installation, which is the first of its kind anywhere within the square mile, highlights the viability of photovoltaics as a practical urban energy source. Almost every new development project has the potential to incorporate some renewable energy generation and hopefully Hammerson's project will encourage others to follow suit."
A solar 'totem' display stands outside the main entrance of the new development to communicate benefits of solar energy to the buildings occupants and passers by. The display illustrates light reaching the PV through a stream of 'photons' which vary speed with increasing light intensity. The reverse of the totem provides information for the community highlighting the importance of clean energy and how PV generates electricity from daylight.
Jeremy Leggett continued: "Communicating the benefits of renewable energy systems is essential to their proliferation and the bespoke display unit at Spitalfields should really help the buildings occupants and the public understand what a valuable installation this is."
Hopefully the solar aspect of the project has done something to appease the Spitalfields Market Under Threat (SMUT) group who campaigned against the building, insisting that the land could have been better used to service the local community.
'We are amused to read claims by developer SDG that the community was a "partner" in its completed project,' the SMUT statement says. 'Our campaign, as was well known, came directly from the community and had the support of 40,000 signatories to its petition, based on strong feelings about a unique area of London.'
Land use in the area is a sensitive issue since the area has involves a huge amount of history and is home to several diverse communities including Jewish and Bangladeshi settlers.
