News / solar power
New film studios to be powered by community-owned solar panels
Bottle Yard Studios’ new facility TBY2 will be powered by a giant 1MWP solar array, the biggest community-owned solar rooftop array in the West of England and one of the biggest of its kind in the UK.
The original plan was to install a 283kWp solar array on the building, in Hengrove, but thanks to funding from Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) the final scheme is over three times larger than the original, consisting of more than 2,000 panels.
BEC’s involvement at TBY2 has reduced project costs for Bristol City Council, who own the new multi-million pound TV and film studio, while also helping the city deliver on its climate targets.
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BEC project developer Will Houghton said: “Solar arrays are often designed to cover just a small part of a roof, to reduce costs. But we’re in a climate crisis, and in order to meet Bristol’s climate goals we’re aiming much higher than that.”
The Bottle Yard Studios rooftop will become BEC’s 17th renewable energy project. BEC’s solar energy generation is equivalent to 33 per cent of solar electricity generation in Bristol, making it a significant player in the region.
Laura Aviles, senior film manager remarked that sustainability is at the core of this new facility.
“With premium insulation throughout and a sophisticated building management system to ensure optimal energy conservation,” she said.
According to the British Film Institute (BFI), one of the key steps to make the industry more sustainable is committing to using renewable energy sources, as well as maintaining the efficiency of both the equipment and infrastructure, both being implemented at TBY2 facilities.
“The new TBY2 facility and what it can offer to Bristol is immense. It’s not just the growth in film and TV production for the city, but it’s the commitment to help deliver Bristol’s 2030 carbon-neutral ambition and the community and partnership working that underpins it,” remarked Kye Dudd, cabinet member for climate, ecology, waste, and energy.
This piece of independent journalism is supported by NatWest and the Bristol24/7 public and business membership
Main photo: Bottle Yard
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