Elite Precast Concrete and EnergyMyWay in solar panel partnership at Oxford University

Elite Precast Concrete has partnered with renewable energy specialists, EnergyMyWay, to provide sixty of its Kentledge blocks in the construction of a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic array, which is being used to power Oxford University's new book storage facility.

EnergyMyWay designed, supplied and installed the 152x 250-watt photovoltaic solar panels for the new building — which is set to house more than four million books, while Elite Precast Concrete's Kentledge blocks acted as counterweights and have been used to provide the system with a greater degree of stability.

Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director at Elite Precast Concrete said: "We are delighted to have been able to provide EnergyMyWay with our Kentledge blocks. Our blocks ensure you avoid the risk of costly service strikes and reused afterwards, so tick the boxes in terms in sustainability."

Hugh Taylor, Director of EnergyMyWay, explained: "We are thrilled to have taken part in this renewable energy project for one of the most recognisable universities, not just in the UK but around the world. The University is investing in technologies to reduce its carbon footprint, and this building in particular has a high demand for energy, owing to the sophisticated climate control necessary to store such important artefacts."

"Our client identified some suitable ground on which to locate the solar panels so that they did not have to go on their shiny new building. With it being made-up ground, we recommended a ballasted system, as opposed to piling the framework into the ground.

We sought a manufacturer of concrete blocks for this purpose and it has been a pleasure to work with the team at Elite Precast Concrete. We very much look forward to working with them again on our growing order book of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems," Hugh concluded.