The first crowdfunded solar project at a higher education institution was designed and installed at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), by our Joju team.
Project highlights
- First university in the UK to install crowdfunded rooftop solar
- 29.6kW system generating 24.15 MWh per year for the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
- Solar profits create an annual green fund of £2,000 for 20 years to be used by the SOAS community
- Pioneering project described by Baroness Valerie Amos CH as “an excellent example of a constructive and positive approach to tackling one of the great challenges of our time – climate change”
Background
Solar SOAS, a project led by student group The Energy and Climate Justice Student Society, successfully raised the funds needed for a 29.6kWp system to be installed at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). This was the first student-led crowdfunded project of its type and Joju was delighted to be involved. We pride ourselves on pioneering solar PV and community funded projects and this was yet another example of a solar first for Joju.
The Project
Joju installed an East to West solar PV array, with a Solis inverter, in September 2016. It consists of 114 260W Amerisolar panels all attached to a K2 frame. The 29.6kW system generates approximately 24.15 MWh per year for SOAS.
The University has it’s own mini electricity grid with equipment which is stunning in its antiquity, but also listed. You can see this in the black and white picture included. This provided a unique challenge for our team, as we needed to incorporate a modern, high-tech solar PV system.
The Benefits
The installation demonstrates continual efforts by SOAS to reduce its carbon footprint. The installation saves over 10 tonnes of carbon every year, and underlines the Universitiy’s success as a green, sustainably-run organisation. In 2016, the year of installation, SOAS topped the Brite-Green university league table with a 55% reduction in carbon emissions since 2005. SOAS has also been awarded the Carbon Champion mark of achievement by the Camden Climate Change Alliance.
Solar SOAS is hoping that they will act as a pilot for other UK universities and even set up UniSolar, a community benefit society to administer and introduce community energy to other higher education establishments.
The SOAS community also decide how to spend the profits generated from the system (approximately £2,000 a year).
The reaction
Isobel Annan, co-founder of Solar SOAS said:
“We overcame many obstacles and met some hair-raising deadlines over the past two years, as full-time students and alumni endeavouring to do something green and good in a challenging policy environment. But we are live and generating, and ecstatic to see those shining panels.”
Joju’s Head of Engineering James Page added:
“What made this project really special was the fact it happened because of the combined forces of an enthusiastic bunch of students who kicked the whole thing off, all supported by accommodating staff. With just one or the other it wouldn’t have happened.”
The project also gained political support from the now Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. At the time, he was the local MP for Holborn & St. Pancras. He commented:
“I’m absolutely thrilled to see the first university community energy project in the UK happening in our constituency. We hope this will lead the way for further similar projects around the country!”
Baroness Valerie Amos CH, who was Director of SOAS at the time of installation, said:
“I am always impressed by the commitment of SOAS students to engage with the pressing issues facing our world today. Solar SOAS is an excellent example of our students taking a constructive and positive approach to tackling one of the great challenges of our time – climate change.”
