09/07/2012 01:39 PM
One of London's busiest train stations is set to be home to a plethora of new solar panels as part of a major renovation project.
Blackfriars station, which serves areas in the south-east such as Luton, Brighton, St Albans and Sutton, will see 4,400 photovoltaic panels installed on the roof in a bid to reduce the carbon emissions produced by the station, as well as cutting down on its energy bills. Network Rail, who is behind the development, has stated that it will save the organisation thousands of pounds each year in electricity costs as the station looks to go green. Officials at the organisation noted its positivity around the project as it installed the 2,200th panel to the roof of the station on Wednesday (July 4th).
Network Rail has stated that the roof which will be situated above the Victorian bridge, and once completed and fully operational it is set to generate 50 per cent of the power that the station requires. The panels, which have been developed by Panasonic, will be installed by Solarcentury and will cover a 6,000 sq m area which will make it the largest solar bridge in the world. It is set to have a capability of 900,000 kilowatts of power, saving around 500 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Network Rail senior programme manager for Blackfriars, Paul Byrne, said: "We have rebuilt Blackfriars on a 125 year old rail bridge, creating a 21st century, solar-powered station on Victorian foundations.
"Blackfriars' iconic location spanning the River Thames makes it a showcase for the potential of solar power, and an important benchmark for Network Rail as we look to make best use of sustainable technology on the rail network."
Blackfriars station, which serves areas in the south-east such as Luton, Brighton, St Albans and Sutton, will see 4,400 photovoltaic panels installed on the roof in a bid to reduce the carbon emissions produced by the station, as well as cutting down on its energy bills. Network Rail, who is behind the development, has stated that it will save the organisation thousands of pounds each year in electricity costs as the station looks to go green. Officials at the organisation noted its positivity around the project as it installed the 2,200th panel to the roof of the station on Wednesday (July 4th).
Network Rail has stated that the roof which will be situated above the Victorian bridge, and once completed and fully operational it is set to generate 50 per cent of the power that the station requires. The panels, which have been developed by Panasonic, will be installed by Solarcentury and will cover a 6,000 sq m area which will make it the largest solar bridge in the world. It is set to have a capability of 900,000 kilowatts of power, saving around 500 tonnes of carbon emissions every year.
Network Rail senior programme manager for Blackfriars, Paul Byrne, said: "We have rebuilt Blackfriars on a 125 year old rail bridge, creating a 21st century, solar-powered station on Victorian foundations.
"Blackfriars' iconic location spanning the River Thames makes it a showcase for the potential of solar power, and an important benchmark for Network Rail as we look to make best use of sustainable technology on the rail network."
He went on to say that the station will be fully operational for passengers within the next month when Network Rail's major renovation of the London station is completed, allowing for more commuters to use the facility to access cities within the south-east and further afield.
Jacksons have vast experience of securing railway infrastructure as well as sites of solar and renewable energy.
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