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University of Warwick teams up with Solihull firm to test a new type of solar panel

Dr Stan Shire with the New World Solar panelsEngineers at the University of Warwick are working with New World Solar to help them research and develop a new type of solar panel for the UK market.

The Chelmsley Wood-based firm has called on the University’s expertise to evaluate the performance of a range of solar photovoltaic panels.

The project will see 24 solar panels installed on the roof the School of Engineering building while academics analyse their performance.

New World Solar will benefit from the help of one of the UK’s  leading research universities, with Warwick harnessing the electricity produced by the solar panels to help cut down its energy bills and carbon footprint.

Warwick researchers will use state-of-the-art technology to test four different solar panels’ performance and help New World Solar develop the most efficient for the UK market. The facilities and equipment used for the research have been funded by the Science City Research Alliance (SCRA) Energy Efficiency Project.

The Energy Efficiency Project is part of a larger investment by Advantage West Midlands and ERDF in the research infrastructure of the West Midlands region, which unites the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick in a strategic research partnership – SCRA – formed under the Birmingham Science City initiative. 

Lead academic Assistant Professor Dr Stan Shire said: “Solar energy is a vital energy resource and one which the University of Warwick is keen to help develop.

“The project with New World Solar is an excellent opportunity for both the company and the University to lead the way in developing new green products.”
The solar panels have been installed on top pf the Chemistry  building
Joel Cardinal, Energy Manager at Warwick, said the link up was another example of how the University is proving to be a leader in the reduction of harmful emissions.

“The addition of further renewable sources of energy to supply a proportion of the University of Warwick's energy requirements is to be celebrated as it not only reduces the University’s carbon footprint but also its reliance on grid electricity,” he said.

New World Solar, which has been operating since 1996, recently picked up a prestigious National Energy Efficiency award (Public Sector) along with its partners Family Housing, Birmingham City Council and Urban Living.

It was also named in the top three companies in the Environment and Sustainable category of the Birmingham Post Enterprise Awards.

Mark Clemson, sales and marketing director at New World Solar said: “Our company has always tried to be on top of the game as far as green energy is concerned and this successful link up with the University of Warwick shows just how much both organisations are committed to helping reduce CO2 emissions.”

Notes to Editors

Images:

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/december2010/stan_02.jpg

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/december2010/panel_01.jpg

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/communications/medialibrary/images/december2010/stan_04.jpg

Birmingham Science City is a region-wide partnership of public sector, businesses and the research base, which is facilitating the use of science and technology to improve the quality of life and prosperity of the West Midlands. Funded by Advantage West Midlands, Birmingham Science City’s aim is to create strategies to exploit centres of world-class scientific research, by developing relevant activities for sustainable economic and social benefit.

www.birminghamsciencecity.co.uk

The Science City Research Alliance project is part of a larger investment by Advantage West Midlands and ERDF in the research infrastructure of the West Midlands region, which unites the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick in a newly-formed Science City Research Alliance. For more information see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/scra/themes/energyefficiency/

For more information contact Luke Hamer, Assistant Press Officer, University of Warwick, on 02476 575601, or on 07824 541142. Alternatively email l.hamer@warwick.ac.uk