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June 26, 2025 In

More power to Oxford Brookes!

 

Highlights

  • Solar installed on 10 Oxford Brookes university buildings
  • The systems total 847.79 kWp
  • That’s almost 2,000 solar panels
  • Together, the installations will generate 720,055 kWh’s every year
  • They will save just short of 169 tonnes of CO2 per annum

 

Background

Oxford Brookes declared a Climate Emergency in 2021 and by 2040, they intend to become a net-zero carbon organisation, where only unavoidable emissions are offset.

We’ve been working with the University over a number of years to help them achieve their ambition.

In November 2020, we installed solar on the Buckley Building, John Payne Building, Lloyd Building, Sinclair Building and the International Centre. That was approx. 300 kWp, and it doubled their solar PV capacity at the time, generating 224,912kWh per year, with a saving of 57 tonnes of CO2. You can read more about it, here.

We haven’t stopped there, though!

As part of their new strategy, Oxford Brookes has been dramatically increasing the amount of renewable energy it generates in recent years. We’ve been excited to help, every step of the way.

 

The latest installations

In the first quarter of 2024, we installed solar in three other areas at the University:

The Clerici Building (housing the Oxford Brookes Business School), Clive Booth Student Village (the biggest accommodation site for Oxford Brookes students), and Paul Kent Hall (241 study bedrooms in flats of 5 to 12).

In the Summer of 2024, we also installed solar on the Centre for Sport, the NHHB Building (at the Headington Hill Campus, a new facility designed to house the Faculty of Technology, Design and Environment) and the PWB/workshop building (providing industry-standard technical facilities for students, staff, and researchers, including specialist engineering equipment, labs, and hands-on teaching spaces).

 

The facts and figures

Here’s how it all breaks down, in terms of the solar we’ve installed and the savings:

 

And there’s more

In summer 2025, we’re installing a 91.91kWp solar system on the Joel Joffe Building, where the Faculty of Health & Life Sciences is housed. A SolarEdge system with 202 panels is incoming! It’s estimated to generate 97,250 kWh and save 16.7 tonnes of CO2.

 

Reaction

The Carbon Reduction Manager at Oxford Brookes, Paul Spencer, has this to say about working with us:

“Oxford Brookes University has worked successfully with Joju on a number of large scale commercial Solar PV installation projects on its campus buildings over the past few years. The team at Joju have helped us on our way to meeting our Net Zero goals by working sensitively within a live environment, with students, staff and students in halls. They are always responsive to our needs and are always willing to go the extra mile in tackling and responding to any problems that may arise”.

As Paul says, our Joju team will always go the extra mile (in a sustainable way of course!) and the university is clearly determined to achieve its Net Zero ambitions.

We say more power to you, Oxford Brookes… in both senses!

 

Discover more

Roof with solar panels on
June 4, 2025 In

Bringing solar power to Latcham

 

Key highlights

  • A 567 kWp system with 1,276 panels
  • Generating 465,000 kWh every year
  • Saving 96 tonnes of CO2 annually

‘Businesses expend more energy than an individual, so they have to take the lead in tackling the climate crisis’, says Latcham’s Managing Director, Mike Hughes. Data, print, digital and fulfilment specialists, Latcham, are certainly doing that with their commitment to a sustainable approach.

 

Making sustainable change

Latcham has aligned its green goals with Bristol City Council, to be carbon neutral by 2030. To achieve their ambitions, Latcham is making a number of changes to the way they do business. These include recycling 94% of all waste materials to date, insulating walls, replacing windows, upgrading their print facility, installing EV charge points, and partnering with the Bristol charity, Tree Aid.

When they decided that solar energy would be part of this change, we were delighted to work with the Bristol Energy Cooperative to make it happen. Bristol Energy Cooperative offer free solar PV for businesses, schools and community organisations across Bristol, partnering with sites in or around the city which have large roofs and use lots of electricity.

 

Let’s go solar!

Latcham’s Bristol head office is a fantastic site to work on with its large, well-appointed roof. The initial challenge was maximising the number of panels on the main roof, and we did that with a combination of landscape and portrait design, to get as much on as possible. We also had to make sure the panels would be accessible for maintenance and cleaning, so that influenced our thinking.

 

The kit

We installed a 567 kWp system with 1,276 JA Solar fully traceable 445w panels. The system is connected to four 100 kW Solis inverters, which are mounted on a custom-built inverter frame.

The solar is predicted to generate 465,000 kWh every year, saving 96 tonnes of CO2 annually.

 

The dream

Latcham says that when it comes to the communications they create, “green is our dream”. We are so pleased to have helped them on the way to achieving this dream, in partnership with the brilliant Bristol Energy Cooperative.

 

Discover more

Read more about the solar we installed on the Castle Climbing Centre

Find out more about the award-winning solar we’ve installed on schools and community buildings in North Lincolnshire

Discover more about how we work with businesses to help them go solar

Read more about how we are involved in Community energy

 

April 30, 2025 In

King of the Castle – Castle Climbing Centre goes solar

 

Project highlights 

  • Solar array designed and installed on one of the most unique climbing centres in the world
  • 31.15kWp system
  • Generating 27,313kWh every year
  • Saving 5.66 tonnes of CO2 annually

 

Background

Housed within a former Victorian water pumping station in London, the Castle Climbing Centre offers climbing for people of all abilities…  from absolute beginners to those at the top of their game.

Talking of the top, our interest was in the roof! Our team was tasked with designing and installing a rooftop solar PV system to cut carbon, help reduce energy bills, and deliver greater energy independence. The aim was to power the majority of the business through solar energy, in keeping with the Castle’s goal of become a net-zero business. As they say:

“Sustainability is in our DNA. Our planet is precious, and as climbers we have a duty to protect it”. 

 

The building

Well, it’s not every day you install solar on a former Victorian water pumping station! Dating from the 1850s, it’s a grade II* listed building too.

We’re highly experienced in installing solar on heritage buildings (our award-winning install on Salisbury Cathedral is one to check out), so we relished the opportunity.

 

The challenges

Our challenges involved meeting the energy demands of the building, designing around shading of the array, and the system being visually in keeping with the building aesthetics. On top of that, we had an interesting, pitched roof construction to contend with.

We used Nicholson roof products to provide a strong, completely watertight fixing point to build the system up from. A Renusol VarioSole+ rail system was incorporated and we installed 70 JA Solar 445W panels.

 

The results

The system is predicted to generate 27,313kWh per year, with an annual carbon saving of 5.66 tonnes. Plus, the solar looks totally at home up on the historic roof. It’s the perfect addition to compliment their innovative ventilation system, 1.4 hectare organic permaculture garden, and a building that has been using 100% green energy since 2018.

We’ve loved helping the Castle Climbing Centre on their way to becoming a net-zero business and reach even greater heights when it comes to sustainability.

 

Discover more

Read more of our commercial solar case studies

Discover how we can help businesses with solar, battery storage, and EV charging infrastructure

Contact us to discuss your project. We’d love to help you.

February 21, 2025 In

Henry’s solar bungalow

Henry was an earlier adopter of solar decades ago, when he lived in Scotland. He wholeheartedly believes in the ability of solar power to change the way we generate electricity. So, when he moved to Leicestershire in 2021 to be nearer to his family, there was no way his new home would be driven by anything other than clean energy he could largely generate himself.

 

Henry’s solar story

Henry’s son-in-law had chosen our Joju team to install solar on his own home.  Henry followed his recommendation, arranging a site survey with us. When our designer Dan visited, we considered the roof layout, the amount Henry needed to generate, and what would work best for his unique set of circumstances.

We installed 10 Canadian Solar 410 W panels, alongside a SolarEdge 3.5 kW HD-Wave Inverter with panel optimisers.

 

The results

Henry is delighted with his installation and the way it performs. It even had British Gas scratching their heads and reimbursing him £400 after the Spring and Summer months, when Henry largely generates all the energy he uses from his solar!

 

Listen to Henry’s thoughts on his solar installation

Have a listen to Henry talking about how he found the experience of getting solar installed with Joju Solar here.

If you would like to turn your home into a solar powerhouse, just contact us for a chat and over 18 years worth of energy expertise. We would love to help.

 

Further reading

November 15, 2024 In

Deerhurst Care Home – Powering care 24/7

 

Project Highlights

  • Saving Deerhurst Care Home £9,200 a year on their energy bills
  • 100.57 kWp installed
  • 226 JA Solar 445W modules and a fully optimised SolarEdge system
  • Estimated annual generation of 84,865 kWh
  • Estimated carbon saving of 17.57 tonnes per year
  • Three more rooftop arrays to come on other Brunelcare buildings.

 

Background

Deerhurst Care Home is an award-winning facility, providing the highest levels of nursing and dementia care for its 66 live-in residents and ten day-care residents.

As well as nursing, Deerhurst also provides entertainment for residents including musical performances, an art club, toddler group, and many other events.

 

Powering care 24/7

Care of this kind requires significant electricity, with a TV and nurse call system in each room, building lifts and charging for laptops and other equipment, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to design and install solar for Deerhurst, working with Bristol Energy Co-operative and Brunelcare.

 

The kit

We’ve installed a 100.57kWp system, including 226 JA Solar 445W modules and a fully optimised SolarEdge system. As well as a best-in-class warranty and high efficiency panels, JA Solar have a comprehensive badged, integrated, traceable system, recognising the importance of a responsible supply chain, so their panels were the perfect choice.

 

Generation and savings

Our estimated annual generation is 84,865.08kWh and the installation will provide an estimated carbon saving of 17.57 tonnes per year.

All power from the panels will help to run the building, providing energy bill savings of around £9,200 per year. Any excess will be exported to the grid.

 

Reaction

Site Manager, Lesley Hobbs, commented: “I didn’t know about community energy until work started here. I didn’t know that the solar panels were benefiting the community. It’s great that we’re having things that are going to improve the environment too.”

Joju Solar’s Project Manager, Oliver Sadowski, said: It’s been fantastic working with Bristol Energy Co-operative and Brunelcare to bring solar to Deerhurst Care Home. We look forward to seeing the difference it will make to their energy bills, as well as reducing carbon. We’re looking forward to getting started on future installations on other Brunelcare buildings too”.

 

Future plans

Three more rooftop solar arrays are planned on Brunelcare buildings, with the four sites totalling a combined 543 kWp.

The projects are part of Bristol Energy Cooperative’s South West Local Solar Scheme, which aims to install 2 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity across the West of England by 2025. The scheme is funded through a £500,000 grant from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Green Recovery Fund.

 

Further reading

Aerial view of a school with solar on the roof in North Lincolnshire
July 25, 2024 In

Solar schools and community buildings in North Lincolnshire

 

Project Highlights

  • 14 schools and colleges, a community hub, a museum and a community council building have solar installed so far, with more projects in the pipeline
  • 3,441 panels
  • 1,402.175 kWp
  • 1101618 kWh generated every year
  • 68 tonnes of CO2 saved per year
  • Won the prestigious Alan Clark Award for Community Energy (2024) and the ‘Supportive Local Authority’ Award at the Community Energy England Awards 2023.

 

Background

North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) installs community-funded solar panel systems on schools, colleges, and other community organisations, free of charge, by combining central government grants and community shares.

NLCE has been set up with support from a Town’s Fund grant to North Lincolnshire Council. Our  Joju Solar team carries out the installations, and helped develop a community match funded proposal through Energy 4 All.

 

The mission

What has North Lincolnshire set out to achieve through the installation of solar? Here are some of the key aims:

  • To drive the area forward to be net zero by 2030, reducing carbon emissions
  • To bring local people/organisations together to tackle climate change
  • To accelerate the availability of renewable energy in the area
  • To reduce energy costs for community/educational settings, enabling more funds to be prioritised on resources
  • To cut electricity purchased from the grid
  • To provide significant educational opportunities for schools, colleges and other sites that have solar installed.
  • To be run by local people and be the driving force for enabling a greener future.

 

The detail

At the 17 sites we’ve installed so far, we’ve largely used Canadian Solar panels for the installs. We’re testing Meyer Burger panels at John Leggott College for learning purposes, so the performance difference can be studied.

Inverters are Solis and the mounting systems depend on specific site conditions. They include Van der Valk, Esdec, Renusol, and Schletter.

 

Social value 

The solar electricity generation, cost reduction and CO2 reduction results are impressive, but installing solar in North Lincolnshire is about much more. There’s a genuine focus on the value of learning opportunities for community benefit.

NLCE, North Lincs Council and Joju have run a series of environmental workshops at schools and colleges, to speak with pupils about their solar installations, the benefit to schools and North Lincolnshire communities, and about the wider topic of sustainability. It’s exciting to see first-hand that the young people involved have a real understanding of the issues. They are keen to support the environment and are excited that the sun is powering the clean energy generated by the array on their school roofs.

The social benefit to schools and colleges and, by extension, to the North Lincolnshire community has been invaluable. As Ben Lawrance, Head Teacher of Frederick Gough School, put it:

“We are absolutely delighted to be part of the North Lincolnshire Community Energy   project. Not only will it save us money on our energy bills which will mean we can spend our savings on resources for the children in our school, we will also be contributing clean energy to the community to help ensure the planet is habitable for future generations of Frederick Gough pupils to come. The visual of the panels on our roof will also serve as a good reminder for school and wider community members of the need of us all to do our bit to protect the planet”

 

Events and awards

A series of free, interactive community events are also being run. These activities invite the wider community to discover more about the benefits of solar energy and to focus on sustainability topics, whilst experiencing family fun and positivity.

Our Joju team has also provided free energy advice in community hubs.

The project has always been about bringing the community together and breaking down barriers. The events run have done exactly this, with hundreds of people across North Lincolnshire taking part.

The project has won the Alan Clark Award for Community/Local Energy at the Solar and Storage Live awards 2024. It also won the ‘Supportive Local Authority’ Award on behalf of North Lincolnshire Council, at the Community Energy England Awards 2023.

 

A testimonial for Joju

Nicolle Mitchell (Communities Investment and Delivery Officer) and Ben Atkinson, (Sustainability Manager) at North Lincolnshire Council had this to say about how we work together:

“Joju Solar have been instrumental in supporting North Lincolnshire Community Energy (NLCE) to roll out rooftop solar on Schools and Community Buildings in Scunthorpe. Joju always go the extra mile. They have engaged in social value activities with the community of North Lincolnshire by offering school assemblies and workshops, supporting North Lincolnshire Council’s (NLC) Discover and Green Future’s events and providing energy advice for residents in the area at NLC’s Community Hubs.

Joju Solar are honest, professional and diligent. They ensure all work is delivered to a high standard and liaise with the Project Team to ensure installations are delivered on time and within budget.

Thank you to the support of the full Joju Solar team, you have made this project a great success.”

We’d like to thank Nicolle and Ben for their kind words. The project is a true reflection of what happens when local communities are inspired to join together to tackle climate change, and we can’t wait to support the North Lincolnshire teams to install even more.

 

Further information

Discover more about solar panels for schools

Find out about the opportunities created by community solar 

Check out more of our work with the public sector

Robs installation experience
April 8, 2024 In

Rob’s solar and storage installation experience

Have you ever thought about getting solar and battery storage for your home, but first you’d like to hear what the whole experience is like from beginning to end, from another customer? Well, now you absolutely can!

We’ve been chatting with Rob, who recently decided to invest in solar and storage for his home, to generate his own electricity from the sun, and have the ability to store it for use when he needs it the most. He’ll also make power cuts a thing of the past.

The kit

Rob’s solar and storage system includes 8 SunPower Maxeon 3 430W panels, a Solis 3kW string inverter, bird mesh, and a Tesla Powerwall 2 with Backup Gateway.

The questions and answers

What were Rob’s motivations for getting home solar and storage in the first place? Why did he choose Joju? What was the solar and storage design and installation process like, and how much is Rob’s system generating?

You can find out the answers to all these questions and more by listening to Rob chat about his solar and storage design and installation experience, right here:

Discover more about solar and storage for your home

Check out our solar and storage home case studies

Chat with us, or enquire about getting solar and storage for your home.

February 22, 2024 In

Solar and Storage at the University of Wales Trinity St David

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is dedicated to creating a community which supports sustainability through social, economic, cultural, and environmental responsibility.

Sustainable development is one of the University’s values, with staff and students working together to have “a positive impact on people, communities and the planet”. This multi-campus centre of learning holds Level 5 of the Green Dragon Environmental Standard and there has also been significant financial investment in solar and storage so the University can generate its own clean, green energy. To this end, Joju Solar has been working on bringing solar and battery storage to two buildings on the Swansea campus, changing the way the buildings generate and store power.

It takes two…

On the College of Art’s Dynevor building, at the heart of the city’s arts quarter, we’ve installed a 130kWh Pixii battery alongside 150 kWp of PV, using Canadian Solar 380Wp panels and a Solis inverter.

We’ve also installed a 42kWh Victron battery with 80 kWp of solar on the Technium 2 building at the Swansea campus. Again, we used Canadian Solar 380Wp panels and a Solis inverter.

In terms of selecting the kit, half hourly data was used to specify batteries that best matched the excess generation of the PV systems. The panels and inverters were chosen based on a mix of quality and cost.

Battery benefits

The solar PV generates electricity which can either be used immediately, or stored in the battery for when the buildings need it the most. There’s a mixed level of demand in both buildings as being a base of education, the buildings aren’t as well-populated over the weekend. It therefore makes sense to store the self-generated energy during those periods for use when footfall is greater.

Savings to celebrate

The systems will contribute Co2 savings of approximately 41.5 tonnes a year, supporting the University’s climate commitments. There will also be significant financial savings across both buildings. These are estimated at around £37,000 a year on the basis of a 22p per unit electricity price and the systems generating around 200,000 kwh a year with the batteries using 85% of that.

And there’s more…

We’ve also installed 22.8kWp of solar on a third building, Technium 1. With sixty 380Wp panels and a Solis inverter, the system is estimated to save 4.44 tonnes of Co2 a year. .

 Ed Baughan, Joju’s Head of Commercial Solar said:

“Our team is delighted to work with UWTSD to help them realise their sustainability ambitions. At the heart of everything we do is our mission of cutting carbon, so it’s great to install the technology that helps the university reduce its carbon footprint and create greater energy self-sufficiency, whilst making financial savings too”.   

A sustainability hero

 When it comes to its students, UWTSD encourages everyone to “Become the hero of your own story” by “creating the education experience you’ve always wanted”. By making a real commitment to cutting carbon, the university is becoming the hero of its own sustainability story too – taking positive strides towards a green future and leading by example.

Joju is proud to be working with UWTSD and we relish the supporting role we’re able to play in their story of environmental responsibility.

Further reading

Joju Solar installation on Bridport Leisure Centre
December 12, 2023 In

Swimming with Solar – Bridport Leisure Centre

Let’s talk installing solar on Leisure Centres… in particular, in Bridport.

Bridport Leisure Centre is a non-profit making, busy, community recreational hub, offering a wide range of activities for local people. These include a swimming pool, fitness classes, gym, squash, sports hall, yoga and kids activities.

How is it all powered? Well, the Centre was keen to explore having solar to help generate the energy required. This way, they could save on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. We were only too pleased to help make this happen, of course.

Community-funded, community-owned

Initially, our Joju team created designs and costings for the site. Following funding discussions, we brought our good friends and colleagues at Energy 4 All on board. They look at how much power the system is going to generate and how much of it will be used on site by the Leisure Centre. Then, with funds from local community investors purchasing shares in the system, they pay for the project in its entirety. They maintain it, and buy the electricity that’s produced and consumed on site, at an agreed rate. The ownership of the system is then in the hands of local people, for the benefit of the local community.

On the roofs…

The installation took our Joju Solar team just under two weeks to complete, and all whilst keeping the Centre fully operational. That’s something we pride ourselves on and we know just how important it is to make sure any potentially disruptive work is carried out ‘out of hours’.

We installed 184 Canadian Solar 410W panels in total, and the install is actually split into two systems. 147 of the panels make up a system of just over 60 kWp. That’s on the main roof, above the swimming pool… hence our Swimming with solar headline! The smaller system of 37 panels, just over 15kWp, is on the rugby clubhouse roof.

The savings

Estimated CO2 savings work out at approx. 15.73 tonnes per year, with an annual estimated generation of 61,535 kWh, which will really help to power community wellbeing.

The reaction

The team at Bridport & West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd, and at the Centre itself, is really happy with the install and how the panels are looking.

The overall aim of the organisation is to enhance the quality of life for the community, and the solar install certainly contributes to the ongoing fulfilment of that aim – from a clean air and sustainability point of view.

Discover more about solar on Leisure Centres

  • Read about the Swimming Pool Support Fund in our blog.
  • Find out more about community energy and potential funding for your Leisure Centre project.
  • Read our Xcel Leisure Centre case study, for more about another public sector Leisure Centre installation.
Xcel leisure centre, Joju Solar panels with staff
November 6, 2023 In

Excelling in reducing carbon – Xcel Leisure Centre

Elmbridge Borough Council has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2030 and one of their key actions is to cut the carbon output from their buildings. To achieve this, we’ve worked with the council on a variety of projects including installing solar at Centres for the Community in Walton, Cobham, Claygate, Molesey, and Hersham. We’ve installed solar at Hersham Village Hall, and we’ve also created a solar car port at the Civic Centre in Esher.
Following this, we were delighted to be selected to design and install the solar array on the roof of the council-owned Xcel Leisure Complex in Walton-on-Thames as well.

The approach

Places Leisure run the Xcel Complex, The Sports Hub and Hurst Pool. It’s a vibrant space with swimming, gym, and climbing facilities on offer. There’s a sports hall, studio, squash courts, sauna and steam room, soft play area and café on site too, so of course it was essential that the Complex was open as normal throughout the installation. Our approach is always to make sure buildings stay open, and that was the case throughout the three-week install. When we did need to shut down the power, we worked out of hours so that normal opening hours for the Centre were not affected.

The kit, carbon reductions, and energy savings

Every leisure centre user brings their kit to the Complex and we were no different… although our kit was panels, a mounting system, and inverters, rather than exercise gear, sports shoes, and swimming costumes!

We installed 973 JA solar panels on the roof, using a Sun Fixings mounting system and Solis inverters – and the results have been fantastic. Since the system has been installed in May 2023, the electrical consumption on site has been reduced by over 36%, which will lead to an estimated CO2 saving of over 75 tonnes per year.

The reaction

Councillor David Young, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, said how thrilled he is that Elmbridge is another step closer to achieving its carbon neutral pledge:

“The installation of these solar panels and the reduction in electrical consumption at the Xcel Leisure Complex further reinforces our commitment to climate change. This shows that with collective commitment and determination, we can deliver on our pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030.”

Daniel Walker, Business Development Director at Places Leisure is a proud partner in the solar panel installation too:

“Working with Elmbridge, we are committed to improving the sustainability of the Xcel. Through the new partnership contract, both Places Leisure and Elmbridge Borough Council, will invest in more energy efficient infrastructure, including new heating systems, hydrogen ready boilers, LED lighting and electric car charging bays. Collectively we will provide more sustainable leisure facilities in Elmbridge.”

The Council team also commented on our working partnership:

“Joju have worked efficiently and collaboratively with all stakeholders involved in the project and they are always on hand to provide professional advice”.

Our Head of Commercial Solar, Edward Baughn, couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome too:

“We’re proud to have designed and installed the solar array on the Xcel, helping Elmbridge Borough Council reduce the carbon output on its buildings. We can’t wait to see more savings being made and supporting the Council with their overall sustainability ambitions”.

All in all, it’s great to know that solar energy is contributing to the operation of a Complex where members spend their own energy improving their health and wellbeing – and that the wellbeing of the whole area is being improved by the reduction in carbon.

Goals well and truly achieved!

Further information

Head here for more about rooftop solar

Discover more about our public sector work

Read more of our case studies