British Library Goes Green with UK’s Largest Solar Heating System

October 14, 2024: The British Library has officially installed the largest solar heat system in the United Kingdom, covering an impressive 712.5 m² of its roof space. In partnership with Naked Energy, a British company leading the charge in solar heat and solar PVT technology, this initiative aims to significantly reduce the library's carbon footprint.

The installation features 950 solar collectors that are projected to cut CO2 emissions by 55 tonnes annually and generate 216 MWh of energy—enough to power and heat a community centre or swimming pool for an entire year. The British Library and CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) announced the commissioning of Naked Energy to execute this solar heat project, which will aid the public building's transition to renewable energy sources.

This technology can save up to four times the carbon emissions compared to standard solar PV panels and is crucial for decarbonising heating across various sectors, including manufacturing and hospitality. In a unique application of solar technology, the collectors will help maintain the precise temperature and humidity required for preserving the national collection held by the library.

As the custodian of over 170 million items—including newspapers, maps, sound recordings, and patents—the British Library’s collection continues to grow daily. During the planning phase, approval was granted for the installation of Virtu solar technology on the Grade I-listed building.

In the company’s press release, Christophe Williams, Founder and CEO of Naked Energy remarked, “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.”

Patrick Dixon, Director of Estates and Construction at the British Library, added, “The British Library is delighted to have benefitted from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. We have received two grants under the scheme, one of which provided the funds for our supply partners CBRE to work with Naked Energy to design and install this innovative technology on our Grade I Listed building in London.

This project is part of the Library’s commitment to environmental action and we are pleased to have formally launched our new Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy during Green Libraries Week. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance. It provides capital funding to public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures.”

By utilising Naked Energy's advanced technology, the library significantly reduces carbon emissions and sets an inspiring example for public institutions in the transition to renewable energy. This initiative paves the way for a greener, more environmentally conscious future.