World’s largest solar bridge to be installed on London’s central railway station

World’s largest solar bridge to be installed on London’s central railway station

Work is now underway on the world’s largest solar powered bridge on London’s central Blackfriars railway station. The first of its kind, the bridge will be covered by 4,400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, over 6,000 metres and generating an estimated annual amount of 900,000 kilowatts (kWh) of clean renewable energy.

The creation of what will currently be the biggest solar array in London, will use only high efficiency solar panels manufactured by SANYO Electric Co. Ltd. and will be installed by London-based solar installation company, Solarcentury. The advancement of solar energy being used in the city’s infrastructure and its future uses, were discussed in a statement by Solarcentury’s chief executive Derry Newman:

“Blackfriars Bridge is an ideal location for solar; a new, iconic large roof space, right in the heart of London…..

Station buildings and bridges are fixed parts of our urban landscape and it is great to see that this one will be generating renewable energy every day into the future. For people to see that solar power is working is a vital step towards a clean energy future.”

Due to be completed by mid 2012, the solar incorporated design on the Victorian bridge that spans across the River Thames, will be reducing an estimated 511 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, as well as provide 50 percent of the station’s energy. This solar energy initiative, along with others, is the beginning of the Network Rail’s plans to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2020.