University of Exeter saves over 45,000 kg of CO2 a year with new solar panels

The University of Exeter has installed over 700 solar panels on the roof of the Harrison building, Streatham Campus, saving 45,000kg of carbon dioxide per year.

These solar panels are part of the University’s plan to meet its target of carbon net zero by 2030, supporting its 2030 strategy to “create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future”.

These solar panels help to reduce the University’s reliance on fossil fuels, saving the University 45,282 Kg of CO2 a year, with an estimated energy output of 212,591 kWh a year.

Andy Seaman, Energy Manager at the University of Exeter, said: “We are proud to have introduced over 700 new solar panels on the Harrison building adding to our existing installations across our campuses in Exeter and Cornwall.

We are committed to maximising our renewable energy provision and our work doesn’t stop there, as we have further plans to install more PV panels on our Creative Quadrant building, which is currently being built in the University of Exeter Business School.”

We are committed to maximising our renewable energy provision and our work doesn’t stop there

Andy Seaman, Energy Manager at University of Exeter

This is part of the University’s project to introduce three solar installations across the Streatham and St Lukes campuses. Announced in July 2022, this project aims to reduce the University of Exeter’s carbon footprint by more than 100,000 kg per year.

This project was funded by Research England, with its purpose being to offset the energy consumption of the Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW). The new solar panels aim to achieve ‘Net Zero in Operation’ status from day one in the CREWW research facility on North Park Road.

This development proceeds the University of Exeter declaring an environment and climate emergency in May 2019.