National Energy Award For “Modern Art” Given To National Trust

A national energy award for a unique solar PV projects has been awarded to National Trust, similar to an art installation set on a hillside in North Wales as one of its most popular gardens.

The solar array, at Bodnant Garden in the Conwy Valley, was successful in the category of national small scale project of the year at the energy efficiency and retrofit awards in Birmingham.

The 50kw system generates around 43,000kWh of electricity at the site which sees over 200,000 visitors each year. It powers the on-site Pavilion Café along with two electric vehicle charging points in the neighbouring car park and also recharges the batteries of power tools used in the gardens.

The 175 panels, laid on a curve in the hillside, were made by Panasonic as part of its partnership with the National Trust. The money saved from energy bills will directly fund the trust’s conservation work.

Paul Southall, environmental advisor at the National Trust, said: “Every trust property has its own unique spirit, and we’ve got to make sure that whatever we install is appropriate in the right place.

“Bodnant Garden has had 212,000 visitors this year and when the sun is shining our visitors are here so this system makes a perfect match. The success of this scheme is down to the collaborative approach between the property staff, the designer and installer Carbonzero renewables, and the team at Panasonic, who all worked to ensure the finished system sat appropriately within its environment.”

Louise Hirst, Panasonic key accounts manager, said: “Panasonic are proud to receive this award and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on the renewable energy project at Bodnant Gardens with The National Trust.

“The project has been a great success, thus demonstrates historical and challenging sites can be successfully and sensitively converted to renewable energy in order for National Trust’s energy efficiency goals to be realised. Panasonic value the opportunity to play a part in the preservation of our heritage and hope to be involved in many more projects moving forward.”

The trust is also undertaking a £33m Renewable Energy Investment (REI) Programme, supported by the charity’s renewable energy partner Good Energy, to develop over 40 renewables projects across the country involving heat pumps, biomass and solar power, to help generate 50 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

The trust recently replaced oil-fired heating systems with biomass at Killerton House, Devon and Nunnington Hall, on the cusp of the North Yorkshire moors. A hydro-powered scheme near Bethesda in Snowdonia will produce enough electricity to supply 121 homes for a year, offsetting 246 tonnes of CO2.