Kirklees Council renewable energy projects

• Renewable Energy Fund
• Suncities
• Spen Valley Sports College Wind Turbine
• Moldgreen Community Primary School
• King James Science College and Lowerhouses J I & N
• Civic Centre III, Huddersfield
• Deighton Centre, Huddersfield
• Simply Solar

SunCities

SunCities is a European Commission funded project which began in 2000 and was completed in February 2006. The project aimed to install 3.05 megawatts of solar electricity on 2,000 homes in Germany, the Netherlands and Kirklees in the UK. In Kirklees this includes a total of 351kWp solar electricity systems and 63 solar thermal systems. Around 518 households were involved across Kirklees, including elderly tenants and families with young children. They will benefit from free solar electricity and can expect to save up to £50 a year on their electricity bills. Through SunCities, Kirklees has installed 4.9% of the total solar electricity installed in the UK, making SunCities the largest domestic solar project in the UK. The project attracted funding of up to £1.8 million to Kirklees and attracted nationwide attention through winning an Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy, a British Renewable Energy Association Award and a Green Apple Award. Case study on Suncities (PDF 428kb)

Suncities - Sackville Street The Sackville Street Solar Electricity (PV) scheme consists of a series of solar PV systems installed in January 2003 on 31 tenanted properties owned by Kirklees Community Association and managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing in Ravensthorpe, West Yorkshire. This project was one of the first trials of solar electricity in domestic buildings in the UK (funded by the Department of Trade and Industry), which led to the establishment of the UK's Major (PV) Demonstration Programme. Case study on Sackville Street (PDF 233kb)

Suncities - Primrose Hill Solar Village This initiative to create a solar village of 121 solar-powered homes was part of an overall regeneration scheme for the Primrose Hill area in the Kirklees District. Case study on Primrose Hill (PDF 182kb)

Suncities - Fernside Solar Project This project created a solar village of 100 homes, including bungalows and flats, in the Fernside Estate, managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, in Almondbury, Huddersfield. Two nearby schools have also been supplied with domestic sized solar power systems which are now a valuable educational resource. Case study on Fernside (PDF 151kb)

Suncities - Titanic Mill Titanic Mill is a Grade II listed textile mill in Linthwaite, West Yorkshire. The building has been refurbished and converted to provide 130 residential apartments on the upper 5 floors and a spa/leisure facility, a hotel and a restaurant and on the ground floor and part of the first floor. The building features a roof mounted, 50 kWp photovoltaic system.

Suncities - Care Homes Roof integrated solar PV systems have been installed on two 40-bed new build care homes - Moorlands Grange in Netherton and Castle Grange in Newsome, approximately 4 miles from Huddersfield town centre; and on four new build sheltered housing bungalows - Mill Dale, Crescent Dale, Elm Grove and Orchard Grove in Heckmondwicke. The homes have been built on the sites of old homes and will provide a high quality care service to people in the Kirklees area through modern care facilities which will contribute to maintaining the dignity of residents, encouraging residents to interact in a comfortable setting and participate in modern life. Each home has a digital readout from the panels showing how much solar energy has been generated. Case study on Care Homes (PDF 192kb)

Spen Valley Sports College Wind Turbine

In June 2005 a 15kW Proven wind turbine was installed to provide renewable energy and an educational resource for the school. The idea was conceived by the students and they were involved throughout, the project received a Green Apple Award and was named as one of the top ten renewable energy projects of 2005 by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks. Case study on Spen Valley Sports College Wind Turbine (PDF 65kb)

Moldgreen Community Primary School

Through this project a 15.36 kWp roof integrated solar electricity system has been installed as part of the new build school. The school is an excellent site for a solar PV installation, it has a large south facing roof and no shading. Measures in addition to the solar panels include rainwater harvesting and recycling, automatic lighting controls and high efficiency heating. The building houses 380 pupils and 50 staff, the solar panels are an educational resource for the school and a demonstration project for the community, located in the heart of the Moldgreen, the project is highly visible. Funding of 50% of the project cost was received from the UK Government's Major Demonstration Programme.

Civic Centre III, Huddersfield

Through the ZEN (Zero Emissions Neighbourhood) project this building now has solar electricity panels, solar hot water panels and two 6kW wind turbines on the roof to provide electricity and heat water for the building. Civic Centre III is in a busy area of Huddersfield town centre and is close to the ring road, a shopping area and public buildings. Each week more than 1,350 people visit the building, including planning and architectural professionals, council officials and the general public. This project is intended to be a clear corporate statement by Kirklees Council showing how it is taking action to address climate change. Case study on Civic Centre III (PDF 709kb)

Deighton Centre, Huddersfield

Two 15kW wind turbines have been installed on the playing field adjacent to the Deighton Centre. In addition to being the council's training centre and housing council staff, the centre is a valuable community resource. Adult education classes, sporting activities and community events are held here and the building is often open in the evenings and at weekends. The project received grant funding from the DTi (Department of Trade and Industry) Clear Skies fund. Case study on the Deighton Centre (PDF 199kb)