Oxford University, Engineering Department receives expert Solar PV engineering

Challenge

Oxford University is one of Europe’s most innovative and entrepreneurial universities. They wanted to design and install a PV solar energy system that could help provide students with a more effective way of studying renewable energy. At the same time the system had to be fitted on the roof of the engineering department without penetrating the roof membrane and invalidating the roof’s warranty. Joju also had to integrate the solar energy monitoring system with the department’s existing IT infrastructure.

Solution

The project required a certain amount of innovation  in order to secure the panels onto the flat roof flat roof without fixing them to the building. The problem was solved by instead using ballasted buckets. Joju Solar also obtained a 40% grant for the installation from the government, on behalf of the client.

Benefits

Through the 1.36kWp system the University gained an invaluable teaching aid that is used for students across various courses, helping them to understand first hand PV and microgeneration, and helping support its reputation as a world class leader in technology and environmental research. The photovoltaic (PV) system will pay for itself within its guaranteed lifetime.