The British Library and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) are claiming a new solar heat project will be the UK’s largest.
The project will use Naked Energy’s Virtu product, which produce heat and electricity from the same collector. The company will install 950 solar collectors across 712.5m2 of the library’s roof.
The technology will supply sanitary hot water and space heating for the British Library. The collectors will also be used to help to maintain the precise temperature and humidity conditions needed to preserve the national collection cared for by the British Library.
During the planning phase of the installation, Virtu solar technology secured planning permission on the Grade I-listed building, as its low-profile design does not disrupt the Library’s architecture and remains invisible from street level.
Naked Energy said it recently received investment from E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions and Barclays in the first close of its Series B capital raise, totalling £17 million.
Christophe Williams, Founder and CEO of Naked Energy said, “The urgent need to decarbonise heat has long been under-recognised in the discussions over the UK’s move toward net zero. We hope that this project can serve as a catalyst to inspire others in the public sector to join the energy transition and move away from fossil fuels once and for all.
“This project has been an immense undertaking and is an exciting step forward for the solar thermal industry in the UK.”