Solihull Sixth Form College, part of the Summit Learning Trust, is a distinguished educational institution committed to excellence. Barker, an education-specialist property consultancy, was engaged to assess the feasibility of Solar PV installations across six of the Trust’s sites. After a successful tender process, Barker appointed contractors to complete the installations. This ensured a smooth process and effective utilisation of the main roof space, ultimately leading to significant energy savings for the Trust.
The primary goal was to reduce the Trust’s rising energy bills through the installation of Solar PV systems. Barker was selected for the project due to their expertise and proactive discussions on cost-saving measures. The client needed a reliable solution to utilise the main roof space effectively.
The college already had Solar PV panels installed across a significant portion of its roof spaces. During the feasibility stage, Barker identified a large roof area that appeared suitable for additional installation. However, upon closer inspection by the appointed contractor, it was discovered that this roof space was constructed with Stramit board and was not suitable. Barker then worked collaboratively with the client and contractor to ensure that appropriate roof spaces were utilised and that the system was correctly sized to meet the site’s consumption needs.
The installation was completed by the end of July 2024. To date, the system has generated 70.6 megawatt-hours of electricity, with an estimated annual carbon saving of over 26 tonnes, equivalent to planting nearly 1,200 trees. The project not only achieved significant energy savings but also demonstrated Barker’s commitment to delivering efficient and effective solutions. The Trust has expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the seamless integration of the Solar PV system and the minimal disruption to the college’s operations.
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