Solar scheme lights way for Urban Exchange

YORKSHIRE companies Town Centre Securities and GMI Energy have teamed up to launch a major renewable energy scheme at a city centre development.

A solar panel system has been installed at TCS’s Urban Exchange retail development in Manchester.

The project follows a similar scheme installed at the property group’s Clarence Dock Car Park in Leeds last year.

GMI Energy, part of the Leeds-based GMI group, installed the 208 panel system in Manchester within a week.

The new system will produce approximately 44,800 kwh of energy a year, generating a combined income and saving of £10,550 per year over the 25 year feed-in-tariff period.

Tenants at Urban Exchange, which include Aldi, Pure Gym and Go Outdoors will be able to use energy generated at the site.

Ben Ziff, managing director of Town Centre Car Parks, a subsidiary of TCS, said: “We installed PV panels at the Clarence Dock car park in Leeds last year, creating the UK’s largest city centre renewable energy system in Leeds, and are very pleased with their performance so far. 
 
“Introducing solar systems to our estate is a part of our on-going strategy to use innovative and technological ways to improve our business and help shape the environment in challenging times.”

Carl Nielsen, managing director of GMI Energy, added: “We are delighted to continue GMI’s relationship with Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS) as the construction arm of the business has undertaken several contracts at the Urban Exchange development over the years. 

“It’s so important for us to fully understand our client’s properties as it forms the basis of the energy assessment and allows us to create bespoke solutions that are fit for purpose.”