UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
18/02/2022
New Study Investigates Impact Of Roof Mounted Solar Panels
Willmott Dixon and Elementa Consulting have launched a new study investigating the embodied and operational carbon impact of roof mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
PV technology will play a significant role in decarbonising the electrical grid to meet the UK's climate targets. The renewable energy generation method is also a core offering in Willmott Dixon's suite of solutions to deliver buildings that are net zero carbon in operation by 2030.
Whilst solar PV is an important pathway to net zero, like any other product, its installation comes with an embodied carbon impact: the greenhouse gas emissions associated with production, construction, in-use and end of life stages of the panels, alongside any supporting equipment.
To understand the carbon cost and benefit, the new research examines the whole life carbon associated with roof mounted solar PV installations, using two Willmott Dixon projects as case studies.
Doug Drewniak, Building Performance Manager at Willmott Dixon said: "Our paper explores the interplay between the embodied carbon impact and operational carbon savings over time, which is really interesting as it shifts the focus from PV being a carbon offset mechanism to building additional renewable capacity in the grid.
"While all tested scenarios found a net benefit over the systems' lifetime, project specific design and specification decisions can have a big impact. This report provides the guidance to optimise PV installations, whilst measuring the effectiveness of the technology from a whole life carbon standpoint."
Louise Hamot, Global Lead of Sustainable Innovation, Elementa Consulting said: "Rooftop solar PVs are needed to decarbonise our grid, therefore we need to understand the associated embodied carbon implications and identify any opportunities to improve the technology's impact.
"Most existing studies looking at the embodied carbon impact of PV typically only include the modules themselves, but we have covered the entire installation process across different design scenarios."
The research is a collaboration between Willmott Dixon and Elementa Consulting, which includes members of the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI). It is the first study to examine the whole life carbon associated with PV panels.
PV technology will play a significant role in decarbonising the electrical grid to meet the UK's climate targets. The renewable energy generation method is also a core offering in Willmott Dixon's suite of solutions to deliver buildings that are net zero carbon in operation by 2030.
Whilst solar PV is an important pathway to net zero, like any other product, its installation comes with an embodied carbon impact: the greenhouse gas emissions associated with production, construction, in-use and end of life stages of the panels, alongside any supporting equipment.
To understand the carbon cost and benefit, the new research examines the whole life carbon associated with roof mounted solar PV installations, using two Willmott Dixon projects as case studies.
-- Advertisement --
Doug Drewniak, Building Performance Manager at Willmott Dixon said: "Our paper explores the interplay between the embodied carbon impact and operational carbon savings over time, which is really interesting as it shifts the focus from PV being a carbon offset mechanism to building additional renewable capacity in the grid.
"While all tested scenarios found a net benefit over the systems' lifetime, project specific design and specification decisions can have a big impact. This report provides the guidance to optimise PV installations, whilst measuring the effectiveness of the technology from a whole life carbon standpoint."
Louise Hamot, Global Lead of Sustainable Innovation, Elementa Consulting said: "Rooftop solar PVs are needed to decarbonise our grid, therefore we need to understand the associated embodied carbon implications and identify any opportunities to improve the technology's impact.
"Most existing studies looking at the embodied carbon impact of PV typically only include the modules themselves, but we have covered the entire installation process across different design scenarios."
The research is a collaboration between Willmott Dixon and Elementa Consulting, which includes members of the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI). It is the first study to examine the whole life carbon associated with PV panels.
Latest Construction News
05/02/2025
Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) and ECF, a joint venture between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse, have selected Vinci as the preferred contractor for Phase 1 of Stockport 8, a £350 million residential development west of Stockport town centre.
The decision follows a competi
05/02/2025
Vistry Group has finalised contracts for a significant housing development in Hinckley, Leicestershire, securing outline planning permission to deliver 475 new homes in the area.
The development, located east of Stoke Road and north of Normandy Way in the town's northern region, has a projected val
05/02/2025
Wilten Construction has been awarded a second Design and Build contract at Gateway 14 by client Gateway 14 Ltd and Jaynic.
The project involves the development of a state-of-the-art, three-storey Skills and Innovation Centre spanning 35,000 sq ft in the heart of Gateway 14. Designed to achieve BREE
05/02/2025
Knowsley Council has approved a major housing development in Kirkby, giving the green light to 800 new energy-efficient homes in the town's centre.
The decision also secures £7.7 million in Section 106 contributions from developer Barratt David Wilson Homes, further boosting local investment.
The
05/02/2025
Keepmoat Homes has announced plans to invest over £50 million in three new housing developments across Calderdale, aiming to deliver more than 200 new homes.
The developments, undertaken in partnership with Calderdale Council, form part of the North Halifax Transformation Programme, a local authori
05/02/2025
Essential renewal work at Skerne Road level crossing in Driffield has been completed. Over a six-day period, engineers replaced decades-old equipment, installing a state-of-the-art operating system, replacing the level crossing deck, and resurfacing the road.
The newly installed operating system is
05/02/2025
Construction firm GRAHAM is currently carrying out essential restoration work at the National Railway Museum in York, replacing the Grade II listed roof structure at Station Hall.
Originally built between 1875 and 1877 as a goods station, Station Hall now houses the museum’s six royal carriages.
05/02/2025
Mezzanine floors are commonly associated with additional storage or expanded floor space, but did you know they can also have a profound impact on employee productivity and morale? At Doity Engineering, we specialise in designing and installing mezzanine floors for
05/02/2025
Construction work is commencing on a new solar array at Weeton Barracks in Lancashire that will generate over one third of the site’s energy needs.
The work has been funded under the British Army’s Project Prometheus, a scheme that is increasing renewable energy across the army estate through inst
05/02/2025
The regeneration of Hartlepool's waterfront has reached a significant milestone with a £631,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The funding will support the development phase of the 'Tides of Change' project, aimed at transforming the visitor experience at the Museum of Hartlepool a
