At Zestec, we have deployed a 1.25MW rooftop solar PV system for world-leading business jet and military aircraft manufacturer Bombardier at their nearly 250,000 sq. ft. service centre located at London Biggin Hill Airport.
Working in partnership with commercial solar PV specialist UPOWA, we designed and installed a rooftop mounted solar array to power Bombardier’s service facility with on-site renewable energy.
A total of 3,023 solar panels will be supplying zero-carbon electricity to help reduce demand for electricity from the grid. Bombardier’s energy costs will be offset by up to £85,000 in the first year of generation, an up to 38% saving on their grid-supplied tariff. The solar PV system will generate approximately 1,133,000 kWh in its first year, lowering annual carbon emissions by up to 252 tonnes.
The solar PV project is a critical step in Bombardier’s clean energy transition, demonstrating the company’s ambition to reduce its environmental footprint and increase self-generated energy from renewable sources. This initiative is part of Bombardier’s global environmental plan, which aims to achieve a 25% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 relative to 2019 levels.
Bombardier’s expanded London Biggin Hill Service Centre nears 250,000 square feet and provides customers with complete heavy maintenance capabilities. It is fully equipped to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, modifications and avionics installations for Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global aircraft.
Designing and installing airport solar requires extra considerations compared to a usual rooftop system. Working with partner UPOWA, Zestec ensured a controlled process from design through to installation and commissioning, making sure there was no added risk to airport privacy and operations.
Toby Smith, our COO at Zestec commented: “This is rooftop solar at its best; not only have the team worked incredibly well to deliver the project on time and to high standards, but the finished product looks stunning and is delivering significant carbon savings. The Bombardier team have been brilliant to work with through the development and construction of this fully funded project, and we’re grateful to their forward-thinking landlord, London Metric, for supporting the project from day one.”
The 1.25MW PV system has been carefully designed to ensure there is no glint and glare for planes landing on the airport runway. With limited and controlled access during construction, Zestec and UPOWA ensured an organised and timely approach to avoid disruption to Bombardier’s schedule.
With all airports, foreign object debris (FOD) risk is a key consideration. This meant all materials and PV modules had to be meticulously unpacked outside the airside area. Bespoke bird hazard management was also required to ensure aerodrome safety. UPOWA installed netting at the solar array’s perimeter, to avoid attracting birds and creating risk to aircraft.
Owned and managed by Zestec, the commercial rooftop solar array is supporting Bombardier’s UK operations to build a greener future, contributing to the UK’s energy transition and drive for net zero.
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