A NEW renewable power installation at the Chilworth site has been praised by an MP.
Caroline Nokes, Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North, visited Southampton Science Park on Friday, July 1 to see its new solar panels.
They have been fitted to the roof of Kenneth Dibben House in a move that will generate 207MWh of electricity and save 50 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
SEE ALSO: Caroline Nokes MP announces she is supporting Penny Mordaunt for new Prime Minister
Since connection to the National Grid in late April, the system has already helped eliminate over 10 tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the effect of planting 63 trees. The majority of the energy produced will be consumed by resident companies, with any surplus being sold back to the Grid.
Ms Nokes said: “It is good to be back at Southampton Science Park – I always find a visit here fascinating and inspiring and today is no exception.
“I’m also really pleased to see the park leading on sustainable development in our region through initiatives such as renewable energy and alternative transport provision.
“This solar installation is certainly impressive, and I understand that it will make a big difference in reducing emissions over the next 25 years.”
Southampton Science Park is the south of England’s innovation hub and is set across 72 acres.
READ MORE: Entrepreneur expands empire and opens new Italian restaurant
Stuart Perry, operations manager, oversaw the works.
He said: “We anticipate extending solar power to other suitable premises, while companies across the park are also expressing interest in their own installations.
“I’m excited to see where this momentum leads.”
The science park offers a wide range of commercial offices, laboratories, meeting and conferencing facilities for new start-ups and leading technology businesses.
The company’s founder, Dr Phil Wu, explained: “Our remote survey technology demonstrated that this particular building had the greatest potential for solar generation as well as the shortest payback period.
“We are now developing a smart monitoring unit which will precisely report on the proportion of renewable energy that has been used by resident companies and how much has been contributed to the National Grid.”
Hosting the event, Science Park CEO, Dr Robin Chave, said: “We are grateful for Caroline’s long-term support for the evolution of our facilities here, especially as we work to quicken the pace of our efforts to minimise our environmental impacts – a topic that I know she cares deeply about.”
A message from the editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support.
Subscribing means you have unrestricted access to the latest news and reader rewards - all with an advertising-light website.
Don't take my word for it – subscribe here to see for yourself.
Looking to advertise an event? Then check out our free events guide.
Want to keep up with the latest news and join in the debate? You can find and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here