Almost 300 panels have been installed, with a further 300 to follow in summer, as part of ongoing work to improve energy resilience across the University estate and support the transition to a lower-carbon campus. The project was supported by Catapult funding secured by the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), with the University’s decarbonisation consultants, Turner & Townsend, providing technical and project management support.
Once complete, the new installation is expected to generate ~217,000kWh of electricity each year. Factory 2050 currently uses around 1,700,000 kWh per year, meaning the panels are expected to provide more than 10% of the building’s electricity demand, and will export excess generation to the grid at times of low building demand.
The University has committed to reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80% by 2030, by more than 90% by 2035, and reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2038. Much of this work will focus on reducing reliance on fossil fuels, improving building efficiency and moving heating and cooling systems towards low-carbon electricity.
The University already purchases electricity through a 100% renewable electricity contract, meaning the panels will not make a significant direct reduction to our reported Scope 2 emissions. However, solar panels have an important role to play in the wider transition to a lower-carbon, more resilient energy system. Generating more renewable electricity locally can help reduce demand on the national grid, particularly at times when gas-fired power stations may still be needed to meet peak electricity demand. It also gives the University greater control over part of its future energy supply, helping to make our estate more resilient. There is also a financial benefit: generating electricity on site reduces the amount we need to buy from the grid and helps protect the University from future energy price rises.
Our approach to solar
Solar PV is an important part of the University’s approach to energy, but not every building is suitable for panels.
Many University roofs already contain essential plant, ventilation systems, fume extraction equipment, safety access routes or other infrastructure needed to operate complex teaching, research and laboratory buildings. Some older roofs may also not have been designed to carry the additional weight of solar panels, or may require significant structural work before panels can be safely installed.
This is particularly challenging on a large and varied estate, where buildings range from historic listed buildings to highly serviced research facilities and modern teaching spaces. Each potential solar project therefore needs to be assessed carefully, considering roof condition, structural capacity, shading, existing equipment, maintenance access, connection costs and expected financial return.
We therefore need to prioritise locations where solar panels can have the greatest impact. Larger, simpler roof spaces are often more cost-effective because they can support more panels, are easier to install and maintain, and can generate more electricity for the investment required. Carefully selecting suitable sites helps ensure that each project delivers the best balance of cost savings, energy resilience and practical deliverability.
The economics of solar are becoming increasingly attractive. As electricity prices remain high and solar technology continues to improve, more projects are becoming financially viable. The University will continue to assess suitable roofs across the estate and prioritise installations where they can deliver the greatest benefit.
The Factory 2050 installation is a good example of this approach: using an appropriate roof space to generate electricity directly where it is needed, reducing running costs and supporting the University’s wider transition to a more efficient and resilient estate.