Specialist solar panel and electrical contracting business, Spartek, has helped make both projects a reality, successfully completing the larger project at The Cambridge’s Head Office in central Cambridge before moving onto the smaller, residential installation.
The Head Office project took around 5 weeks to complete and involved the installation of 258 solar panels which will generate up to 116,000 kWh of electricity per year, the same energy required to power around 40 three-bedroom houses for a year.
But it’s not all about changing things on a commercial level. As a lender The Cambridge is keen to show that smaller levels of change can have a big impact. Its ongoing retrofit at a 1930s semi detached is well underway to highlight opportunities for homeowners to make energy efficient sustainable innovations to their property.
Richard Brockbank, Chief Financial Officer at The Cambridge comments:
“We’re committed to supporting our members now and the generations to come, to create a sustainable future for us all. Through addressing our own carbon footprint, we hope to encourage others to do more. Renewable energy sources such as solar offer a really effective way to make that positive change and our Head Office becoming solar powered is just the beginning for our sustainability journey.”
Lee Watson, Managing Director at Spartek adds:
“The Cambridge Head Office project is the largest slate roof solar panel installation we have completed to date and is one of the largest rooftop solar panel examples in central Cambridge. It highlights perfectly what can be achieved in a commercial setting with relatively little disruption.”
Renewable energy is one part of a bigger energy efficient picture at the residential retrofit project. Once completed, the 10 solar panels on the upgraded roof of the home could generate 3000kWh of electricity per year, roughly the same energy required to power a kettle for more than 100 days without turning it off.
Duncan Turner, Project Manager at The Cambridge explains:
“More people are wanting to make environmentally positive upgrades to their homes, often driven by wanting to save money on their energy bills and do their bit for the environment. It’s often difficult to know where to start. Our retrofit case study using a typical semi-detached property aims to show what can be done while providing practical, affordable solutions.”
“We’re on a steep learning curve and we want to share the lessons learned and tips for our members and the wider Cambridge community so they might consider implementing energy efficient solutions for their homes. Spartek has proved to be a great partner for us to deliver these projects in a genuinely collaborative way.”
Key sustainability improvements considered for the project include:
- Insulation (wall, floor, roof)
- Improved glazing
- Air source heat pump
- Mechanical ventilation system with heat recovery
- Electric underfloor heating
- Solar panels
- Rainwater harvesting
- Green roof on rear extension
In the following weeks excavation will be completed for the foundations for the single-story extension, and a rainwater harvester will be installed, as well as completing core structural work as works continue inside the property.
The Cambridge is documenting the process and will share its learning along with tips and advice from industry experts and links to skilled local tradespeople, including project partners Koru Construction, Pip Architecture, Rethink Buildings, and RHBC Ltd Building Control.
When completed, the house will be added to The Cambridge’s unique Rent To Home scheme, under which the society rents homes to aspiring first time buyers at just below market value and up to 70% of their rent could be returned to use as a deposit when they buy their first home.
Visit www.cambridgebs.co.uk/sustainable-living for more information.
Image: Solar panels in place at The Cambridge Building Society Head Office. Photo credit: Spartek.
