A Harrogate-based renewable energy company has scooped a top industry award for its work at a public convenience in Knaresborough.
Clean Energy (Yorkshire) beat off competition from Sheffield Council and Sheffield University to clinch the “Best Public Building Installation” title, in this year’s Yorkshire and the Humber Microgeneration Partnership Awards.
The work at the Fisher Street public facilities saw the firm – which is headed by husband and wife team Spencer and Tamsin Cassidy – install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system that would not only reduce energy costs, but also meet local conservation area regulations.
- Spencer Cassidy Clean Energy (Yorkshire) managing director
To meet the challenge, the team fitted a total of 15 solar tiles, as opposed to solar panels, capable of generating 1kw of power to the toilets.
In their submission, the judges were “impressed by this application because it was a highly visible example of the use of microgeneration technologies in an important local facility.
“The use of solar tiles instead of panels was recognised as a way of integrating renewable energy into heritage locations such as Conservation Areas.”
They concluded: “Carrying out the work when the building was being re-roofed anyway helped reduce the costs of the installation.”
Clean Energy (Yorkshire) managing director Spencer Cassidy said: “We were thrilled to be shortlisted for this award and winning it is just fantastic, particularly as we were up against Sheffield University and Sheffield Council.
“This was a great project to be involved with and I’d like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities on this project.
“This is our first award and it means a great deal to us.”
Last year, The British Toilet Association, named the amenities Best Eco Friendly Facilities in the Loo of the Year Awards.
The system Clean Energy (Yorkshire) installed uses the sun’s rays to create electricity through the solar tiles, which can generate electricity even on dull, cloudy days. This green electricity helps power lights and hand driers within the lavatories reducing the authority’s energy bills.
Further details about the Clean Energy (Yorkshire) range are available from its website www.cleanenergy-uk.com, or by calling Spencer and his team on 01423 541 315.
