Nottingham leisure centre sets record for largest solar array

12 May 2025

Harvey Hadden Sports Village in Nottingham has become the UK’s largest solar-powered leisure centre, following the completion of a major expansion to its renewable energy infrastructure.

The latest phase of work has brought the centre’s total installed solar capacity to 571.5 kilowatts peak (kWp), enabling it to generate over 500,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year—enough to power more than 120 average homes.

The project forms part of Nottingham City Council’s broader ambition to become carbon neutral by 2028. More than £449,000 in funding from Salix Finance supported the installation of 676 bifacial solar panels across 1,365 square metres of rooftop space. The panels are expected to generate around 257,752 kWh of clean energy annually, offsetting approximately 60 tonnes of CO₂ and reducing electricity and gas costs by an estimated £4 million over their 30-year lifespan.

First steps toward solar power at the sports village began in 2015 with a solar carport installation, followed by a larger roof-mounted system in 2018. The newly added phase will now provide 46% of the centre’s electricity needs. About 74% of the solar energy generated is consumed directly on site, and excess power is used to heat the swimming pool, reducing reliance on gas without the need for battery storage.

Cllr Sam Lux, executive member for carbon reduction, leisure and culture:

“Harvey Hadden Sports Village is one of the most energy-intensive buildings that we own, so it has been at the forefront of our efforts to decarbonise.

“I’m proud that we have taken a significant step forward, installing a new 307.58-kilowatt rooftop solar PV system, including an additional 676 state-of-the-art bifacial panels generating clean electricity each year starting this month.

“These savings aren’t just environmental — they support our ambition for financial sustainability and make the centre more resilient for the future. It’s a great example of what Nottingham is doing to lead the way in decarbonising public buildings and investing in a greener city.”

This development adds to more than 300 energy-saving projects carried out by the Council since 2009, collectively saving almost £4 million in energy costs and significantly cutting emissions.