The National Trust has installed solar panels at Dunster Castle in West Somerset, making it the Trust’s first Grade I listed building to introduce renewable energy in this way.
The 24 photo-voltaic panels will provide a significant source of renewable energy to the castle, the equivalent of the energy consumed by two ordinary family homes, and will reduce the castle’s carbon footprint.
Dunster Castle has set itself a three year goal of reducing the carbon footprint at the castle. Saving energy, along with reducing water consumption, increasing recycling, promoting green transport and many other initiatives, will play a crucial part in this. The PV cells themselves will generate 5,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year of electricity, so that we don’t have to import that electricity from the fossil-fuelled National Grid and thereby save almost 3000 kg of CO2 a year, that‘s the equivalent of travelling almost 14,000 miles in an average car.
The design has sensitively taken account of aesthetics and the historic importance of the building by ensuring no loading or direct contact of the panels or frame on the roof itself and that the panels will not be visible from ground level. The design is also fully reversible, should new technologies develop in the future.
©NTPL / Magnus Rew
Rob Jarman, Head of Sustainability for the National Trust, said:
'The Trust is determined to severely reduce our overall use of energy and to generate our own energy needs from renewable sources on our estates. These PV panels will demonstrate how we can harness renewable energy even from hugely important conservation sites without affecting their special character'.
The panels are predominantly funded by Barclays, who have contributed £30,000 of the total £55,000 scheme. Nita Patel, Barclays Environmental Sustainability Manager, said:
'We’re really happy to be involved in this renewable energy project. We recognise the need for trailblazers such as the National Trust to show others what can be achieved if resources and commitment are put behind clear environmental objectives. I look forward to seeing the Trust progress further along their path toward lowering their carbon commitment'.
In addition to Barclays, the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, administered by the Energy Saving Trust, is contributing £15,000 and the National Trust a further £10,000.
Facts and figures
- The 24 panels will generate 5,500KWh per year.
- Dependent on electricity costs, this will save @ £550 per annum.
- CO2 savings produced per year will be approximately 3,000kg. This is the equivalent of 14,000 miles in an average car or about 280 journeys by car from the nearest town (Taunton) to visit the Castle each year.
- Total CO2 used in the production of the steel frame and panels is 8,300kg, giving a period of approximately four years for this system to payback its carbon ‘cost’, after which net CO² savings will be made.
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