‘Up at the O2’ benefits from Tritec technology
To help offset the energy consumption of ‘Up at the O2’ in Greenwich, which enables visitors to walk over the dome and enjoy the views from the top, over 20 kW of solarPV panels have been installed on the flat roofs of the entrance and exit lobbies. The panels are supported by Tritec Energy’s Tri-Stand mounting systems and are held in place by their own weight and friction.
There are 49 PV panels on one roof and 42 on the other. Each system is served by a separate Kaco inverter, also supplied by Tritec. They were installed by Rayotec.
To meet the BREEAM target, the panels are required to generate 18.4 MWh a year, saving about 10.4 t of CO2.
The Tri-Stand insertion system allows easy, quick and efficient installation of all popular framed solar modules. The modules are inserted into the aluminium profile and do not need to be screwed in, being held in place by their own weight and friction. The pitch of the panels was altered from 40° to 20° to reduce potential shading between panels during the winter.
Electricity-cost savings are expected to be £2220 a year. Income from the Feed-in Tariff will be £2800 a year.
Alex Lenihan, senior project engineer with Rayotec, says, ‘The project anticipates a return on investment in seven to eight years, but because the installation is helping to generate a new revenue stream for the venue, it will be shorter in reality.’
