Welcome to Ennovus Solutions
Welcome to Ennovus Solutions
Investing in solar for swimming pools and leisure centres has become an increasingly popular approach to combat high energy costs. It has been well documented that leisure centres have struggled with the rising costs of electricity. Many are still struggling and feeling the impacts post pandemic and following the energy crisis. At one stage it was estimated that half of the UK’s community based swimming pools could face closure or service cuts. For most leisure centres, energy costs typically represent circa 20-25% of their expenditure, second only to staffing costs. As energy costs form such a significant operational expenditure, any increases in costs can have a significant impact on their profitability or simply their longevity.
The main energy consumers for leisure centres are typically split across two main categories: space heating and swimming pools. These energy consumers are largely dependent on gas or ‘non-electrical energy’. However, swimming pools are still one of the highest electrical consumers within leisure centres along with lighting.
Many leisure centres have turned to on-site renewable generation to reduce their reliance of grid imported electricity, and help tackle the rising energy costs. This not only helps to reduce operational expenditure but also helps to protect against any further increases in electricity costs, and makes them more resilient to energy market fluctuations. Any leisure centre which has an indoor swimming pool is highly likely to have a high energy bill. By virtue of the footprint needed for an indoor swimming pool, they will also likely have a large available roof space. This makes roof mounted solar for swimming pools and leisure centres an obvious choice when looking to reduce energy costs.
Generate clean green energy through a roof mounted solar array to reduce the facility's carbon footprint, scope 2 emissions, and energy costs.
Lock in a lower average cost for the site's total electricity demand through on-site generation and help to protect against the rising cost of electricity.
Lowering energy costs helps to reduce the risk of closure, so that leisure centres can continue to provide facilities that have become a key part of our community.
A 25m indoor swimming pool with six lanes, along with a walkable perimeter will have a footprint, or roof space of circa 550m2. This size roof space is large enough to accommodate 210 solar panels which is equivalent to 95 kWp. A solar panel system of this size would generate circa 85,000 kWh/year of clean energy, saving 17 tonnes of CO2 per annum. Alongside the environmental benefits, it is expected that the reduction in grid electricity import would result in financial savings in the region of £17,000 per year1. The solar panel system would be expected to have a capital payback period of 5 years, and an asset lifespan in excess of 25 years.
This worked example, of course only focuses on one area and many leisure centres will have significantly more roof space, allowing them to install more solar to further reduce their operational and energy costs.
1 This assumes that 80% of the solar generation is used on-site and offsets a grid electricity unit rate of 25 p/kWh.
Whilst the idea of reducing energy costs through solar panels is a nice idea, many leisure centres might not have the financial backing to make this a reality. However, fully funded solutions enable all leisure centres to invest in solar panels. There are many different funding mechanisms available; however, the one most commonly attributed to solar panels is a power purchase agreement or PPA. This is where the solar panel provider will install the system at no cost to the client. The provider will then own and operate the system for the entire term length and sell the energy generated by the solar panels to the leisure centre at a rate significantly below the grid electricity market rate. This provides a leisure centre with an immediate operational saving, with no capital expenditure, allowing reinvestment into other areas of the centre.
Ennovus Solutions are well equipped to help leisure centres to reduce their operational expenditure, through on-site renewable generation and energy efficiency improvements. Alongside offering a complete design and installation service for solar panels, Ennovus can also provide fully funded solutions, through one of our four funding mechanisms.
Having worked with a range of sports facilities as well as council operated leisure centres, we have a breadth of knowledge specifically across the sport and leisure industry. As part of the Consultus Group our services can provide a full end-to-end energy solution from procurement, to sustainability consulting, and to engineering services.
To discuss how we can help your leisure centre reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint, please contact us through our website or reach out directly to our sport & leisure development expert, Alicia.
We’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch.
Ennovus are a leading Net Zero implementation Consultancy based in the UK. Part of Consultus Group, Ennovus Solutions are specialist engineers and experts in delivering Net Zero Solutions.
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