by Shane Henson — March 21, 2012—Kyocera Corporation, a global supplier of solar power generating systems, recently announced it has supplied its solar modules for a flagship project for renovating old buildings using solar energy at the roughly 900-year-old St. Michael and All Angels Church in Withington, England.
Now recognized as England’s first “zero carbon church,” St. Michael and All Angels Church has a solar power generating system using Kyocera modules, which supplies CO2-neutral electricity, as well as a biomass-powered boiler system providing environmentally friendly heat.
The 12th-century building is now powered entirely by renewable energies, says Kyocera. The solar energy is generated with 24 Kyocera solar modules—with a total output of 3.12kW—which are installed on the roof of the church. With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, Kyocera says its solar technology guarantees exceptional module performance and durability. Moreover, the modules were carefully installed to meet strict regulations concerning historical buildings by using a special ladder system that did not adversely affect the structure of the building or its visual appearance.
The renovation of the church followed both an ecologically and economically sustainable concept, notes Kyocera. In addition to the solar installation, an environmentally friendly biomass-powered boiler system was installed, which provides CO2-neutral heat. Just as important, the renovation of the church has double value for the community, because in addition to the CO2-reduction, the electricity and heat generation create clear cost savings. The pioneering project will serve as a reference project for the sustainable renovation of other historical buildings.
