Rooftop solar project – reducing the University’s carbon footprint
The University Strategy 2022-2027 sets out how we will integrate sustainability in our governance and decision-making processes, accelerating progress towards the carbon Net Zero 2035 and wider goals in the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy. The delivery of additional renewable technologies is a fundamental component of the infrastructure needed to ensure the world-leading future of the University of St Andrews.
The main project objectives are to maximise potential solar installation at the University from available spaces, increase energy security by reducing the impact of future utility cost rises to the University, and to standardise the solar specification for the University, allowing additional expansion in the future to help meet our Net Zero commitments.
The project will generate around 1,100kWp of rooftop solar power for the University, equivalent to around 4.8% of total annual electrical consumption. For context, this is enough power for around 500 medium-sized homes. This will be delivered to 42 (now 38) buildings across the University estate, equating to a carbon saving of 200 tCO2e per annum. The project is funded through a low carbon loan from the Scottish Funding Council’s (SFC) University Financial Transactions Programme.
Proposed sites
The project will explore installing the PV arrays on the following University buildings, subject to final design and suitability.
North Haugh
- Powell Hall
- Whitehorn Hall (not currently in the plan)
- Maths
- Physics and Astronomy
- Jack Cole
- Medical and Biological Science
- Saints Sport
- The Gateway
Town
- Observatory – Scott Lang (not currently in the plan)
- Arts
- Buchanan (not currently in the plan)
- Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI)
- South Street Library, Parliament Hall and the Senate Room (Parliament Hall slated for Summer 2026)
- The Old Burgh School
- Gannochy House
- David Russell Apartments – 16 Residences (now 14 residences)
- Fife Park – 11 Residences
Timeframe
Detailed surveys are now underway and will continue over the next few months. Work to install the PV systems will commence in June 2025 and continue through to October 2025. Installation of the system on each building will be carried out over a short period, between one and three weeks, depending on the size of the system on that selected building.
Updates to timeframe:
Works are scheduled to start on the installation of the solar arrays along the following schedule:
Week commencing September 15 at David Russell Hall,
Week commencing September 22 at the Physics and Astronomy building
Week commencing September 29 at the Medical Sciences building, and every week thereafter for Jack Cole, the Gateway, and Powell Hall.
Works are scheduled to begin in town beginning late October through early November.
Operational hours
Operational hours are 8am to 5pm on all academic buildings and between 9am and 5pm on all residences, Monday to Friday. Some work may be undertaken outwith these hours, however, advance notice will be provided ahead of these occasions.
Due to the height of the Medical Sciences building, a night time crane lift is under proposal for the night of Monday 22 September 2025. This is to reduce impact to normal operations.
Impact
The works will be mainly focused on the rooftop spaces on all buildings and the internal plant rooms. Scaffolding will be installed externally to provide access to these roofs and the required edge protection to provide a safe working environment. The contractor is highly experienced in installing these systems and will strive to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum. Precautions and actions are in place to ensure that the impact in terms of noise is kept to a minimum.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this project and its impact please contact Liam Wood, Project Manager for Capital Projects, Estates, at [email protected] or submit an enquiry using the Microsoft Form.
Correspondence
We endeavour to keep our neighbours informed throughout the project. The most recent letters to those living in close proximity to the site are listed and linked below. Further updates will be added in due course.
- Parliament Hall_Solar Panels_Community Letter 1
- Gannochy_Solar Panels_Community Letter 1
- DRA_Community-Letter-1
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