The Leicester Community Sports Arena has completed the implementation of its solar panelling two weeks in advance of the Arena’s grand opening event on 30 January.
The erection of the panelling comes at a perfect time before the Leicester Riders BBL Trophy quarterfinal match against Surrey Scorchers on 30 January and also ahead of Government changes to feed-in tariff schemes.
Kevin Routledge, the project director for the Leicester Community Sports Arena said that it is a credit to all those involved that the work got completed and signed off ahead of the deadline.
“We are absolutely delighted to complete this work ahead of the change in the feed-in-tariff rate, recognising the significant benefits it will bring to the long term costs of running the Arena,” said Mr Routledge.
On 17 December 2015 the UK Government’s Department of Energy and Climate Change announced that new, reduced tariffs for domestic-scale solar PV systems would come into force from 15 January 2016 for new installations, but the early completion has meant that Mr Routlege and his team have dodged this.
The panelling on the Arena, that is located on Charter Street, is one of the largest solar schemes in Leicester and was designed and implemented by Langley Eco Limited, an East Midlands based Energy Company.
The 980 solar panels, each capable of generating 250 watts of energy will result in reduced electricity and heating costs for the Arena as well as securing a source income as it supplies electricity back to the grid.
Cllr Adam Clarke, the Assistant Mayor for Energy and Sustainability,
said that he commends everyone that was involved in making this happen.
“Our elite sports clubs have an obligation to set standards in many ways,” said Cllr Clarke.
“Leicester Riders are clearly role models, for both peers and fans,
on the court and off it.
“The Community Sports Arena will make a valuable contribution to the
city as a whole, not least towards our aim of becoming a smart and
sustainable city.”
This renewable energy source is situated on the south facing roof of the building and has the potential of carbon savings of nearly 2000 tonnes.
Darren Forbes, director of Langley ECO said that it was an extremely challenging project but that thanks was to be given to the Arena project team for facilitating the working partnership.
The £4.8 million project began remediation works on January 6 2015 and is owned by Leicester City Council but on long-term lease to new company Leicester Community Sports Arena Limited that is owned by Leicester Riders Foundation with the company paying a commercial rent for the site.
The Arena project is designed to allow the potential for the development of
future additional facilities on site.
The Arena is the new home to the Leicester Riders and Leicester
Cobras Wheelchair Basketball Club, but will also be a regional
basketball centre of excellence.
The Arena will be operated with all surpluses re-invested in the Arena,
or in sports community outreach activities in deprived local
communities, as are already being delivered by the Riders through the
Leicester Riders Foundation.
Leicester College will use the Arena during term time as part of the
teaching and learning offer to all Leicester College learners attending
sports courses as well as offering access to its 27,000 students through a membership scheme for sports enrichment activities.
The Arena will deliver highly structured sports participation opportunities for the community and will act as the large multi-use sports venue for Leicester.
There will be a launch of the Arena by the City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby on 27 January ahead of the Leicester Riders game on 30 January.
Tickets for the 30 January Leicester Riders game can be found at:
