Case studies

Freeman's Park Campus,
Leicester College, Leicester, UK

"The performance of the Thermomax solar tubes has been nothing but impressive. We get solar-heated water in record time and there is minimum maintenance required. As we head into our first solar powered winter, we're safe in the knowledge that the Thermomax collectors won't let us down, whatever the weather condition."

Robin Dalby, Maintenance and Development
Co-ordinator, Leicester College.

Leicester College has flicked the switch on new solar thermal technology that will provide up to 70% of its annual hot water needs and cut energy bills at its vocational training campus.

The college, which is one of the largest in the UK with 27,600 students and 1,600 staff, is one of the first in the country to adopt evacuated tube collector technology to service its hot water needs as part of its commitment to sustainability.

The college installed Kingspan Solar Thermomax vacuum tubes at one of its key campus sites, Freeman's Park. This campus incorporates a vast range of specialist vocational facilities, from a construction hub, to an industry standard kitchen and restaurant.

As part of a dramatic overhaul to upgrade its facilities for students and in keeping with Building Regulations Part L, Freeman's Park replaced its old gas boilers with 300 Kingspan Solar Thermomax vacuum tubes.

Specifically intended for Northern European climates to provide quick thermal response even on cloudy or humid days, Kingspan Solar Thermomax tubes were an obvious choice for Robin Dalby, Maintenance and Development Coordinator at Leicester College:

"Before installing the Thermomax solar tubes, we were using gas boilers that were energy guzzlers and costly to run. We were keen to implement an environmentally-friendly option, without compromising on performance. Switching to Thermomax solar tubes was the perfect solution, as we could reduce our carbon footprint whilst simultaneously making significant savings on our hot water bills."

Managing Director of Solar Solutions Direct Darren Taylor oversaw the installation: "Thermomax solar tubes are truly the most established product on the market and people are already starting to sit up and take note. Solar energy is the way forward and we're proud to be playing a part in creating an environmentally friendly future."

Kingspan Renewables Marketing Director Mark Brookes adds: "Leicester College has not only significantly reduced its carbon footprint by installing Thermomax solar tubes, it is also benefiting from tomorrow's technology at today's prices, as well as teaching the next generation the importance of renewable energy sources and how to make a positive environmental impact."of rainwater."

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