Ricoh Arena could be going solar
21st July 2011
Ricoh Arena could be going solar
THE Ricoh Arena in Coventry is continuing its commitment to helping the planet by considering installing solar panels.
The multi-purpose venue has jumped from category F to D in the government’s Display Energy Certificate scheme after achieving a score of 90 – which is below the average rating of 100 for a public building.
Ricoh Arena energy manager Alan Pickering and his team are now making long-term sustainable energy plans to further reduce the building’s carbon footprint and energy bills.
“We are looking at renewable energy for the venue and have commissioned surveys to have solar panels fitted to the roof of the 6,000 sqm Jaguar Exhibition Hall,” he said.
“If we are able to go ahead with solar panels on that side of the stadium it would generate a tenth of our electricity supply which is a significant amount.
“This is all very much in the early stages at the moment but we are considering it very seriously and looking at all the options.”
The Ricoh’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 23 per cent since 2008 due to a range of initiatives and its footprint is 6,814 tonnes of co2 while over 200 automatic water, gas, electricity and flow meter readers have been fitted and passive infrared sensors have been installed in the corridors so that lights are not left on unnecessarily.
Alan added: “We have achieved our targets and we are now reviewing our energy goals.
“We are very pleased with the Display Energy Certificate figure we have achieved since when we first opened in 2005 we were in the F category with 133.
“It is a great achievement for a multi-use venue of this kind because it generates such a huge amount of energy.
“The reductions have been achieved by installing an intelligent boiler control system which stops unnecessary firings in the boiler and means the temperature remains constant but uses only half the energy.
“We have insulated pipe work throughout the Ricoh to make sure heating is not lost and we have taken control of the energy management system for the casino which has halved their bills.
“This is all part of our policy of retaining our high standards of reducing our energy usage in every possible way.”
