Lichfield’s brand new leisure centre will open with power from nearly 400 solar panels which are expected to generate enough electricity to reduce its energy bills by about £6,500 per year.
Bosses say the rooftop system is expected to generate around 149,000 kilowatt hours of clean electricity each year – with approximately 90% of the energy used on site and 10% sold to the grid to support a community fund.
By producing its own power, it is estimated the new leisure centre in Lichfield will be avoiding the use of about 35 tonnes of carbon each year.
Those behind the scheme say the figure equates to removing more than 20 petrol cars from the road.
Over the system’s lifetime, it is expected the panels will bring more than £150,000 in savings, bosses claimed, and contribute to a community fund which could be worth a further £150,000.
The fund would support local projects delivering social and environmental benefit to the community, those behind the project have said.
‘Sustainable facility’
“We’re delighted to be working with Staffordshire Community Energy to make Lichfield Leisure Centre one of the most sustainable leisure facilities in the district,” said Cllr Janice Silvester-Hall, cabinet member for visitor economy, ecology and climate change at Lichfield District Council.
The authority has been leading on the development of the new leisure centre, and has planned for it to be one of the district’s most sustainable public buildings.
“This partnership shows the power of community energy; reducing our carbon footprint, lowering running costs, and investing savings back into local projects,” Cllr Silverster-Hall added.
“It’s a brilliant example of how councils and communities can work together to take positive action with the changing climate while creating healthier, more resilient places for everyone.”
Mike Kinghan MBE, founder of Staffordshire Community Energy, said his company’s aim had always been to keep the benefits of clean energy within the county.
“Lichfield Leisure Centre shows what that means in practice,” he said.
“A brand new leisure centre receiving power from the sun, lower bills from day one, and a community fund to support local projects – it’s proof of what’s possible when people come together to take control of their energy future.”
Photo: aerial shot of the new Lichfield Leisure Centre, showing the solar roof panels in place (M Z Photography and Drone Services Ltd)
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