Court installs solar panels

24.06.08 09:08

One of Europe's busiest courts is to generate its own power, it has been announced.

The roof of Glasgow Sheriff Court has been fitted with Scotland's largest solar panel systems, capable of generating 97 kilowatts in full sunlight.

The panels could provide around a fifth of the building's electricity once efficiency measures are in place, the Scottish Court Service said.

The panels cover 700 square metres of roof in a location rarely affected by shade.

They cost £163,500,000, have an estimated working life of 40 years, and could save £163,20,000 and 42 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

Eleanor Emberson, chief executive of the court service, said: "Even with the Scottish weather, the system can generate enough electricity at the outset to cover our out-of-hours usage."

A ground source heat pump is being planned for another sheriff court, at Lochmaddy in the Western Isles.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "The Scottish Government recently announced our intention to introduce a statutory target to reduce Scottish emissions by 80% by 2050, as part of our proposals for Scotland's first Climate Change Bill.

"This project is a good example of the kind of low-carbon technology that will make a significant contribution to Scotland's future prosperity and help build increased, sustainable economic growth."

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By: Joe Quinn