College slashes energy with switch to giant solar project

A LOTHIANS college is set to slash its energy demands by 60 per cent and save 20 tonnes of carbon being pumped into the atmosphere every year by commissioning one of Scotland’s largest solar power projects.

Oatridge College in West Lothian has installed 204 PV (photovoltaic) panels on the roof of its main teaching block to generate electricity and a smaller array of solar thermal panels on four residential blocks to provide hot water.

The project, producing 50 kilowatts of power, is understood to be the first major installation to come on-stream in the Scottish educational sector.

Principal David James said: “We wanted to take this to the next level and show that we practice what we preach.

“We are serious about saving energy and being greener and in doing so we are offering some major lessons to our learners and the industries we serve.”