Oxford University

Location: Oxford University, Engineering Department

Oxford University is on of Europe's most innovative and entrepreneurial universities. Drawing on an 800 year tradition of discovery and invention, modern Oxford leads the way in creating jobs, wealth, skills and innovation for the 21st Century.

Size: 1.36kWp

Performance: To see how the system is performing click here

Category: Public Sector

Customer: Oxford University

Challenge: To design and install a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system, to provide students with a more effective way of studying renewable energy. Finding a cost effective way to install a working renewable energy generator on the roof of the engineering department without penetrating the roof membrane and invalidating the roof warranty. To integrate the solar energy monitoring system with the department's existing IT infrastructure. To assist the engineering department at Oxford University to maintain it's position as a world leader in the field of renewable energy research.

More academics working in world-class research departments (ranked 5 or 5*) than any other UK university

Solution: The project required a certain amount of innovation and creative design due to the nature of the engineering department building. The flat roof demanded a different approach and this was achieved using ballasted buckets which would support the solar panels and avoid the need to penetrate the roof membrane. Joju Solar obtained a 40% grant for the installation from the government, on behalf of the client.

Rewards: A teaching facility with a guaranteed 25 year lifetime. Further proof of the excellent world-wide reputation of the engineering department of Oxford University. Full integration of a photovoltaic (PV) solar energy system with the existing IT infrastructure. An important deliverable for research into renewable energy sources. The photovoltaic (PV) system will pay for itself within its guaranteed lifetime.