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Newcastle Under Lyme College

Newcastle-under-Lyme

Client
Newcastle Under Lyme College
Project
Refurbishment
Sector
Education
System categories
Solar PV
Wet rooftop with water puddles reflecting cloudy sky, metal drainage system, modern building and trees in background.

Challenges

The new photovoltaic system was to be installed on the roof of the recently built Skills and Technology Centre. The existing structure, however, was neither designed or constructed to withstand the additional weight load of a ballasted crystalline PV array, and a mechanically fastened solution proved problematic.

Blue solar panels installed on flat rooftop of modern grey building with glass windows and metal cladding under cloudy sky.

Solutions

Lightweight (less than 7kg/m2), low profile (5mm build-up) and hard wearing (Teflon coated), the amorphous thin film Solar PV modules specified were the ideal product for this type of application. An outline PV array design and payback calculation were provided by Axter, and once instructed, the works were installed in a matter of days, with all of the modules and tooling being passed up through the Roof Access hatch. Axter’s lightweight, Velcro attached, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) Solar PV modules offered a cost effective, safe and practical option, without penetrating the existing roof covering.

Dark blue solar panels on flat rooftop with metal safety railing, residential houses visible in background under cloudy sky.
Black-hulled boat with white trim lifted on boat lift above water, blue sky with white clouds in background.