New Harvey Hadden Solar project complete
The latest upgrade will now meet 46% of the centre’s electricity needs with solar power and is expected to save more than 105 tonnes of CO2e annually
🌞 Harvey Hadden's solar power journey
Harvey Hadden Sports Village, is believed to be the UK’s largest solar-powered leisure centre in positive step for CN28. The journey to making Harvey Hadden Sports Village one of the UK’s largest solar-powered leisure facilities began in 2015 with the installation of a 67.2 kWp solar carport. At the time, it was the biggest solar carport in the UK, covering 40 parking bays and generating approximately 50,772 kWh of clean energy annually. This marked the first major step toward transforming the centre into a solar-powered hub.
In 2018, a 200 kWp roof-mounted system was added, significantly increasing the centre’s renewable energy capacity and reducing its dependence on grid electricity.
The latest development came this year, with the addition of a 307.58 kWp rooftop solar system of 676 bifacial panels covering 1,365 square metres of roof space, which is expected to generate around 257,752 kWh of clean energy annually, saving around 60 tonnes of CO2 each year. Over its 30-year lifespan, this phase alone is estimated to save over £3.66 million in electricity costs along with approximately £315,907 in gas savings.
🌍 How will this help towards CN28?
With these combined systems, Harvey Hadden Sports Village now generates over 500,000 kWh of solar energy each year—enough to power over 120 average homes.
The latest upgrade will now meet 46% of the centre’s electricity needs with solar power and is expected to save more than 105 tonnes of CO2e annually.
The innovative new solar installation goes beyond just providing power for lights and heating. One of the standout features of this phase is the integration of an electric pool heater, powered by surplus solar energy.
Of the total energy produced, 74% is consumed on-site, directly powering the building’s daily operations. Surplus solar power is used to heat the swimming pool, significantly reducing dependence on gas and improving overall energy efficiency. This system eliminates the need for expensive battery storage, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
By efficiently harnessing solar energy, the centre ensures its operations remain sustainable and making sure that all visitors directly benefit from this clean energy transformation. It is a prime example of how thoughtful, cost-effective design can deliver maximum environmental and social value.
Nottingham has set an ambition to become carbon neutral by 2028, and this solar expansion provides significant progress to Nottingham’s Carbon Neutral Action Plan.