This week saw the start of installing the solar panels onto Blackfriars station spanning the river Thames, making it in the worlds largest solar bridge. The Victorian bridge will have over 4,400 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels installed onto its roof along with other energy saving devices such as pipes that use natural lighting within the building.
It is estimated that the solar panels will generate an estimated 900,000 kWh per annum which equates to 50% of the energy needed to run the station, saving over 511 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The panels will cover over 6,000 sq m in total, thus making it the worlds largest solar bridge. Sanyo Electric’s HIT modules will be used for the station with London based Solarcentury fitting the photovoltaic panels.
The redevelopment of Blackfriars station is part of the Thameslink upgrade by National Rail. This will enable longer trains to run on the route linking Bedford, London and Brighton.