News / Bristol Beacon
A bird’s eye view of Bristol Beacon’s solar system
Dramatic drone footage offers a unique perspective of Bristol Beacon’s topmost accomplishment.
348 shiny new solar panels on the venue’s roof will provide it with 110,000kWh of electricity every year.
99% of the energy generated by the huge solar array, installed by Bristol specialists Solarsense, will be used directly on site.
is needed now More than ever
The Beacon has set its sights on becoming the UK’s first carbon neutral music venue.
Directors say sustainability has been a driving force behind the Beacon’s controversial £132m transformation.
The solar panels will provide 12% of the venue’s total electricity and eliminate more than 24,000kg per year of carbon emissions – comparable to approximately 10,000 gallons of petrol, 100,000 pounds of coal burned or 17 homes’ worth of electricity for a year.
The Beacon has pledged to amplify positive climate action through the delivery of its 800+ events a year.
Venues currently contribute 23% to the UK live music industry’s total carbon footprint.
Lighting and sound rigs, heating, cooling and air conditioning systems for large concert venues such as the Bristol Beacon use significant amounts of energy.
Research into decarbonising the industry commissioned by Massive Attack set a net zero target of 2035 for emissions from energy use in buildings – more ambitious than the UK government’s overall target of 2045-50 – suggests this is technically feasible based on current progress.
The Beacon states it has already achieved net zero for direct emissions such as running boilers and purchased electricity, as well as replacing a diesel van with an electric vehicle run on renewable energy.
Its sustainability roadmap considers how to achieve net zero for indirect emissions such as audience travel, which makes up 62% of the venue’s emissions, and supply chain, which constitutes 30%.
“A key part of Bristol Beacon’s transformation was to use the opportunity to become as sustainable as we could,” said Rosa Corbishley, the Beacon’s development director.
“We have an ambitious and detailed roadmap to help us become the first net zero concert hall in the UK by 2030. The new extensive solar PV system is a really important step to achieving that.”
An aerial view of Bristol Beacon displaying its huge solar array, with Bristol harbour in the background – photo: Solarsense
Solarsense worked with community energy developer Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC) to install the solar panel system.
Stephen Barrett of Solarsense, said: “As a local company based in the Bristol area for more than 25 years, we were delighted to play our part in this important development for the city. The system will significantly reduce the venue’s carbon emissions and running costs too.”
Andy O’Brien, co-founder of BEC, said: “We are very proud that community energy is playing a part in the transformation of the Bristol Beacon.
“BEC will sell the generated electricity to the music trust at a discounted rate, then funnel the revenue back to its investors and into community benefit projects. In this way, enjoying a show or gig at the Beacon audiences are not only endorsing Bristol’s journey to net zero, they are also helping the grassroots projects that keep this city going.”
Main photo: Solarsense
This piece of independent journalism is supported by the Bristol24/7 public and business membership.
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