• Swindon & Wiltshire Eco
• Monday August 12 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Bristol office block instals solar panels with West of England Mayoral Authority grant

An office block in Bristol has turned its roof into a ‘renewable power station’ by installing solar panels thanks to funding from the West of England Mayoral Authority.

Developments Bristol, a Victoria Grove-based housing, development and property investment firm, received a £15,000 Mayoral green grant with Bedminster-based Solar Sun and Air designing, and installing a 40 “kWp” on-roof solar system.

They have installed dozens of solar panels on the new office building which they’ve refurbished now home to 30 local firms – including Billys Bikes, who operate a growing bike repair and sales workshop, and Hi Vibe Yoga who operate a new state-of-the-art Yoga studio – cutting the building’s energy usage by 50 per cent, and annual bills by £14,000-plus.

Over 200 West of England companies have received grants from the metro mayor totalling £1.9 million, cutting over 2,000 tonnes of emissions region-wide each year.

Dan Norris, who opened the new Monarch House building including checking out the new solar panels, said: “We have a relentless focus on helping Bristol’s firms and charities to save carbon and cut bills.

“The climate emergency is the biggest challenge we face and I am proud to be working with the new Government that has made clean energy one of its driving missions.”

Adam Phelps, from Developments Bristol, added: “We think it is really important that businesses like ours play their part in the West of England’s – and the UK’s – net zero journey.

“This grant from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority has made a real difference in allowing us to cut our emissions and bills at Monarch House.

“We are proud to lead a forward-looking business doing its bit to fight the climate crisis locally.”