Humberside Fire Authority has built a £3.9million fire station in Clough Road, Hull, to replace the existing station built-in 1958.
As part of the new development, Humberside Fire Brigade wanted to use solar thermal energy to provide hot water for the showers and washing areas.
The main contractor is Hobson and Porter.
Technology
For this project, the client specified a Veissmann Vitosol 200T vacuum tube collector, connected to a 500 litre Veissmann hot water cylinder. The evacuated tube technology is approximately 20 per cent more efficient than equivalent flat plate system.
The expected output of the system is 3,050kW a year, which will offset the gas needed to generate this energy.
Installation
The solar vacuum tubes were installed on the roof of the two-storey building using ballast, rather than a fixed frame, so we didn’t puncture the sedum membrane.
Scaffolding and harnesses were needed to gain safe access to the roof. As a new build, we had to liaise with other trades, including electricians and plumbers, who were doing the internal works at the same time as we were on site.
Return On Investment
As a publicly-funded building, this project is not eligible for the Renewable Heat Incentive.
However, had it been a private sector client, they could have expected a payback period of approximately eight years.
The system would generate savings of about £100 a year and RHI payments of almost £600 a year over 20 years.
At a glance
Main contractor: Hobson Porter
Commissioned: February 2015
Renewable technology: Solar thermal
System used: Veissmann Vitosol 200T vacuum tube collector
CO2 saving: Estimated 564 kg a year
Energy cost saving: £100 a year compared to oil.
RHI payments: £600 for 20 years, index-linked to inflation.
Payback period: Estimated year 8 (combining RHI income and energy cost saving compared to oil)
