Switched on and fully operational for energy saving

Recently installed solar panels that cover the entire roof of Diamond Light Source are now fully operational. Covering an area of 32,000m2  the energy generated by the solar panels is an annual supply of 2.3GWh/y, amounting to around 5% of the facility’s total annual energy consumption and resulting in a yearly saving of some half a million pounds. This will additionally contribute to energy savings of more than £2M per year. 

The installation was part of a larger roof maintenance project which presented the opportunity to install a 2.7MW solar panel array as part of Diamond’s continued commitment to improving its performance and minimising the synchrotron’s environmental footprint. 

Since Diamond’s construction in 2005, the organisation has enhanced the efficiency of existing equipment and limited the amount of equipment needed to run without affecting machine operation, steps central to its prioritisation of sustainability in all areas of the construction and operation of the facility. With areas of focus on waste reduction, use of low-carbon electricity supply and the introduction of photovoltaic panels, implementations ranging from motion sensors on lighting and LED-based light bulbs to variable speed drives on pumping equipment, have also contributed to the annual energy savings figure.

Diamond fully endorses the Government’s ambition to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, which is aligned with the Paris Agreement, to address climate change effectively.  

Gianluigi Botton, CEO of Diamond Light Source, said: “The completed solar panel installation demonstrates our commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of our world-changing science. This is significant in the high-tech, specialised research and development sector that Diamond operates in. The Government’s Net Zero ambition will require substantial additional investment, but we are working to develop an achievable roadmap for this. Installing solar panels is one of the many steps needed and will not only provide considerable monetary savings, but also emphasises our aim to move towards more sustainable operations.” 

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