2,730 panels are expected to save the annual carbon emissions of 50 UK homes.
The solar array is the largest on any rooftop in the UK capital, and has been completed by Vital Energi. Capable of delivering a 1.4 megawatt-peak, it will generate 1.27 GWh of energy annually.
This means New Spitalfields Market can now produce roughly the same amount of power used by 470 UK homes each year, with carbon savings as a result of the switch to on-site renewable generation equivalent to the total emissions of 50 British households.
The upgrade comes as a result of a £1 million investment by the City of London Corporation, which operates the landmark — one of the country’s most significant food distribution hubs. The owner-organisation has set out an agenda to reach net zero across all its operations by 2027, and in the process creating a number of case studies for the integration of renewable energy projects in critical commercial infrastructure.
‘New Spitalfields Market is a vital part of London’s fresh produce supply chain, serving businesses and communities across the capital every day,’ said Chairman of the City of London Corporation Markets Board, Mark Wheatley. ‘This investment helps ensure the market remains a modern, efficient and well-equipped facility, supporting traders and customers while strengthening its long-term future.’
‘New Spitalfields Market is a key hub for the UK’s fresh produce supply chain, and this project shows how even the busiest commercial sites can embrace renewable energy without disruption,’ added Scott Lutton, Regional Director at Vital Energi. ‘By installing nearly 2,700 solar panels across five roofs, we’re enabling the market to generate and consume its own clean electricity, delivering significant carbon savings and helping the City of London Corporation move closer to its net zero targets.’
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