Our Buildings
Solar panels
In October 2023 we completed a project to significantly increase the amount of photovoltaic (PV) panels on roofs at Penryn Campus. We have fitted more than 1700 new panels to the roofs of Daphne Du Maurier, Peter Lanyon and the Sports Centre. These will add to existing panels already installed on campus and save energy and money for future investments and improvements.
The new PV system has a total capacity of 775 kW with an estimated 700,000 kWh per year generated. Carbon savings of 149 tonnes CO2 per year and energy cost savings of about £126,000 per year. Calculations are based on 18p/kWh but the savings are likely to be greater than this whilst current (2023) unit rates continue to be around 30p/kWh.
Lighting upgrades
The Peter Lanyon building lighting and controls have been upgraded with LED lighting being installed.
Decarbonisation
A heat decarbonisation project is being planned with the ESI building identified as a suitable space to trial replacing the gas boilers with ground source heat pumps.
Sustainable labs
All eligible laboratories on campus have now achieved Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation. This accreditation aims to help labs become more efficient, thus reducing costs, waste and carbon emissions. Eight of our labs In Truro and Penryn have achieved bronze status and we also have a gold status lab plus two silver status labs on Penryn Campus.