Naked Energy commissioned for UK’s largest solar heat project at British Library

Naked Energy, the West Sussex-based solar scaleup, has been commissioned to deliver a huge solar installation at the British Library - the custodian of over 170 million items.

At 712.5 sq m and 950 solar collectors, the project is the largest solar heat project in the UK and will accelerate the public library's transition to renewable energy.

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It is expected to reduce the building’s CO2 emissions by 55 tonnes and generate 216 MWh of energy annually - the equivalent of powering and heating a community centre or swimming pool for a year.

Jon Benford, managing director at CBRE GWS, which commissioned, along with the library, the Crawley firm, said: "Working towards net zero emissions in a Grade 1 listed English Heritage building comes with its own unique challenges, and we’re proud of the role this project will play in both preserving the past and protecting the future."

Christophe Williams, founder and CEO of Naked Energy, added: "It’s an honour to partner with such an iconic British institution and be a part of their journey to meet their net zero goals.

"The urgent need to decarbonise heat has long been under-recognised in the discussions over the UK’s move toward net zero. We hope that this project can serve as a catalyst to inspire others in the public sector to join the energy transition and move away from fossil fuels once and for all.

"This project has been an immense undertaking and is an exciting step forward for the solar thermal industry in the UK."

The firm's Virtu product range saves up to four times the amount of carbon compared to standard solar PV panels and are key to decarbonising heat in sectors from manufacturing to hotels and leisure centres, said Naked Energy.

And in a rare application of solar technology, at the British Libary, the collectors will also be used to help to maintain the precise temperature and humidity conditions needed to preserve the national collection.