London station gets solar makeover

Work began on London Blackfriars station’s roof today to install 4,400 solar photovoltaic panels, which will make it one of the world’s largest solar bridges. The new roof, being built […]

Work began on London Blackfriars station’s roof today to install 4,400 solar photovoltaic panels, which will make it one of the world’s largest solar bridges. The new roof, being built on the original 19th Century structure, will cost around £7 million and will create London’s biggest solar array.

The original station was built in 1886, so the addition of the new-age roof will make the bridge iconic, according to Lindsay Vamplew, Network Rail’s project director for Blackfriars: “The Victorian rail bridge at Blackfriars is part of our railway history. Constructed in the age of steam, we’re bringing it bang up to date with twenty first century solar technology to create an iconic station for the city.”

The solar panels, being installed by Solarcentury, will generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year, providing half of the station’s energy. Other energy saving measures at the new station will include rain harvesting systems and sun pipes for natural lighting.

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