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Solar panels deliver reliable, renewable energy to Gloucestershire Coroners Court

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As part of Gloucestershire County Council’s ongoing investment in renewable energy, the Coroners Court on Corinium Avenue in Gloucester has seen the installation of 220 new solar panels.

This 100 kWp solar PV (photovoltaic) system of Aiko 455W panels will provide reliable, clean energy for years to come.

Completed in sixteen days by energy specialist contractors GSM Limited in Newent, Gloucestershire, the project will significantly reduce the building’s dependency on mains electricity. Around £21,000 of electricity a year will be produced by the solar PV system.

Investing in low carbon technology such as solar panels will help the county council meet its aim to create a carbon neutral county by 2045.

The county council’s Building Back Better in Gloucestershire strategy pledges to reduce the county’s carbon footprint, as well as reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2030.

At Gloucestershire Coroners Court, the solar PV system’s annual carbon emission reduction is equivalent to planting 919 trees.

To deliver the project the county council secured Salix funding from the UK Government, an initiative designed to provide funding to public sector organisations to improve energy efficiency. The primary goal being to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy bills through the implementation of green technologies such as solar panels.

Cllr Stephen Davies, leader of the council, said:  “Gloucestershire Coroners Court is the first purpose-built Coroner’s building in England and Wales to benefit from a solar panel installation, which shows our commitment to investing in low carbon energy. 

“I would like to thank our project team who have been instrumental in securing government funding to make this a reality.

“I hope more people will be encouraged to install solar panels on their homes and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, and to help create a greener future.”

The next building to benefit from the installation solar panels is Gloucestershire Heritage Hub on Alvin Street in Gloucester. 

As of July 2024, the county council also secured £2 million funding to install solar panels on the roofs of maintained schools in the county. The installation process is due to take place from January 2025 to March 2027.