The new county hall in Truro, Cornwall is home to a very renewable system. The building has been built with a bank of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels across the roof. The energy used to feed the building with electricity from day to day will be sourced from the sun. This will be produced via the 130 photovoltaic panels which convert the sunlight into electricity. Cornwall also enjoys a greater average amount of sunlight than most of the rest of the United Kingdom, so this is the perfect opportunity to make the most of this.

Solar electricity works by using photovoltaic cells to capture UV light and convert it to electricity. It is one form of renewable energy that is carbon neutral, which also means a saving around 1 tonne of CO2 per year on a typical home. In the typical household, solar electricity can produce up to 40% of the electricity use in a year. Although often seen mounted to a roof such as is the case for Cornwall County Hall, they can also be installed as a stand alone bracket. A further bonus of this renewable energy solution is that the electricity produced can be sold back to the grid when not in use by the owner.

Julie German of Cornwall Council stated “the benefits of green energy are huge-it is better for the environment and provides a secure long term energy source”. This has also been stated by members of the coalition Government, Chris Huhne and Vince Cable; “there is a real chance of a win-win: investment in the short term that stimulates demand and generates jobs and at the same time prepares the ground for the long-term development of a low-carbon economy”.

It has also recently been announced that Cornwall may be the destination for numerous solar panel stations – amassing to a £40 million network, to be installed by private investors across the West Country. This should go some way towards increasing the UK’s current levels of renewable energy levels. This is essential as we as a country have renewable energy targets of 15% to be reached by 2020.

Lucion Energy are a renewable energy consultancy company that work with you to provide an all encompassing service, from design to installation.

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