Work begins on world's largest solar bridge

Work on the world's largest solar bridge officially begins today as the first of more than 4,400 solar photovoltaic panels are installed above the new Blackfriars station platform in central London.

The £7.3million worth of panels are being installed by London based Solarcentury, as part of Network Rail's £5.5billion Thameslink programme.

Manufactured by SANYO Electric Co, the high efficiency solar modules are expected to generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year, providing 50% of the station's energy needs and reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes.

"It's fantastic to see this project finally come to fruition," said Derry Newman, chief executive, Solarcentury. "Blackfriars Bridge is an ideal location for solar; a new, iconic large roof space, right in the heart of London.

"Station buildings and bridges are fixed parts of our urban landscape and it is great to see that this one will be generating renewable energy every day into the future. For people to see that solar power is working is a vital step towards a clean energy future."

Author
Laura Hopperton

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