Hart Leisure Centre is a busy, modern community facility managed by Everyone Active. With extensive sports, swimming, and fitness facilities, the centre operates for long hours each day and has a naturally high daytime electricity demand.
Already committed to reducing its carbon footprint, the centre previously installed a PV system on an adjacent building. In 2024, Solar Voltaics Ltd was engaged via a partnership framework project between Portsmouth City Council and Hart District Council to deliver a second, larger PV system to further boost on-site generation.
Our Solution
Following detailed site surveys, structural assessments, and system design, we installed a 158 kWp solar PV system on the standing seam roof of the main leisure centre building. The standing seam roof type provided an ideal base for a non-penetrative mounting solution, ensuring the building fabric remained uncompromised.
The system was designed to:
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Maximise usable roof space for optimal yield
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Operate in parallel with the existing PV system
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Offset as much of the centre’s daytime electricity usage as possible
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Integrate seamlessly with existing electrical infrastructure
Results & Impact
Thanks to their high operational demand, Hart Leisure Centre now achieves almost 100% self-consumption from the new solar system. This means virtually all energy generated is used directly on-site, significantly reducing grid dependency.
Key outcomes:
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Energy cost savings: Substantial reduction in grid electricity purchases
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Carbon reduction: Major cut in annual CO₂ emissions, supporting local authority climate targets
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Sustainability leadership: Demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility in the local community
Project Significance
This installation is a prime example of how strategic solar investment in high-consumption facilities can deliver maximum returns, both financially and environmentally. For Hart Leisure Centre, the project not only supports council sustainability ambitions but also ensures the centre can continue to operate efficiently and affordably for years to come.
