Solar success for University this Energy Saving Week

Published on 20, January, 2025

This Energy Saving Week (20-26 January) the University of Sunderland confirmed it has generated more than 400,000kWh of electricity from its solar panels across its campuses over the last academic year.

Energy Saving Week is a chance for organisations and individuals across the country to reflect on how they can reduce their energy consumption.

In December 2024, the University activated its newest array of solar panels on the David Goldman Building at its St Peter’s Campus, which is estimated they alone will generate an extra 370,000kWh annually.

With this latest instalment, solar panels across the University’s campuses will generate the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power 320 UK homes annually.

But this is just one part of a wider plan to promote energy savings across the University. Over the last academic year, the University has invested £1 million in various energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Alongside the solar panels, almost 4,000 LED lights have been installed across City Campus, and along with enhancing its heating and ventilation systems, the University has reduced electricity use by 16% compared to the pervious academic year.

All these initiatives work towards the University’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions from its buildings by 2040. Since the 2005/06 academic year, the University has reduced its emissions by 67%.

Staff and students have also been able to play their part too. The University participated in the Christmas Light Switch Off over the festive period which encourages individuals to switch off electrical devices to save energy.

Keith Slater, Head of Environmental Sustainability at the University, said: "As a university, we have a huge role to play in meeting the environmental challenges that Sunderland and the wider world is facing. That's why it's so important to look for any potential areas of energy waste and try to reduce them.

"With energy savings, either at home or at the University, every little bit you do, every electrical item you turn off, can add up to big savings. Everybody working together can make a huge difference to reduce carbon emissions.

“The Christmas Light Switch off campaign delivered significant savings both in energy use and costs.” 

During Energy Saving Week, the University will host a pop-up event on Tuesday 21 January with Groundworks North East and E.On to provide free energy advice to empower staff and students to make sustainable energy choices at home.

The event will run from 11am to 3pm at CitySpace.

Find out more how the University of Sunderland is playing its part in creating a sustainable future here: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/about/sustainability/

>