by Brianna Crandall — July 13, 2011—Solar energy company EOS, an arm of Southam-based renewable energy business Alumet, has just received the go-ahead to start work on an installation of a 50kW photovoltaic array on the roof of Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, England. The project is reportedly the first of its kind in England, and possibly in the world (Saskatoon Cathedral in Saskatchewan, Canada, has installed solar technology in its stained-glass windows).
The project consists of installing £100,000 worth of solar panels on the Grade-I (historical buildings “of exceptional interest”) listed building. EOS will be working in partnership with the Cathedral and the Renewable Energy Technology Alliance (RETA). The array will consist of 178 panels and will be completed in time for the queen’s visit to Coventry in 2012.
The Cathedral’s Executive Director Jane Woodward commented, “It’s a Grade-I listed building and we are fortunate in Coventry because many cathedrals have quite steep pitched roofs behind shady parapets whereas ours is fairly flat. It will make us the first cathedral in country to have solar panels on the roof.”
Woodward added that cathedral staff hope to save money on energy bills, but are also committed to the idea of renewable energy and climate protection.
This flagship project will form part of Coventry’s efforts to get the city in good shape for the thousands of visitors expected for next year’s Olympic soccer games taking part at The Ricoh Arena (City of Coventry Stadium).
