14 UK cinemas could have solar panels fitted to their roofs after Empire Cinemas signed a Memorandum of Understanding with US solar firm, Solar Alliance.
According to Empire Cinemas each of its cinemas has a rooftop capacity to support approximately 200 kilowatts of solar.
Individual project economics will be determined when a construction contract is signed, but similar-sized systems typically have an approximate capital cost of US$400,000.
The two companies have earmarked Empire Birmingham Great Park as the first site for the project.
Empire Cinemas CEO Justin Ribbons said: ‘Empire Cinemas is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and reducing our operating costs by installing solar on our theatres,
‘As the leading independently-owned cinema chain in the U.K. Empire Cinemas is proud to offer our customers an exceptional moviegoing experience. Installing solar at our cinemas will establish Empire as an industry leader in sustainability and that is something we are extremely proud of.’
Last month, a report claimed that solar power is set to become the world’s largest source of power by 2035 as the cost of renewables falls.
Publishing its fourth annual analysis of global energy trends, the renewable energy company Statkraft said that solar PV is already the world’s fastest-growing energy source, thanks to the ever-lowering production cost of solar panels and increased demand for renewable energy.
The lifetime costs for solar PV will drop by around half over the next three decades, while wind will become 40% cheaper.
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