Solar laundries cut costs and carbon emissions

A university has harnessed the power of the sun to make its student laundry more efficient and environmentally friendly.

In a UK first, Stafford University has had 13 solar panels fitted to two of its laundry facilities to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

Alistair King, head of the university’s hospitality and leisure services, says: ‘We are pleased to be at the forefront of alternative, renewable energy use for our student launderettes.

‘The two schemes are expected to deliver significant energy savings while highlighting the potential for the increased use of renewable energy sources in the higher education sector.

‘We welcome this initiative as a further measure, along with student waste recycling schemes, a WC water conservation scheme and public transport sponsorship, aimed at reducing the university’s impact on the environment.’

The solar panels have been installed by managed laundry specialist Circuit as part of an ongoing partnership with the university which has also seen major refurbishment of campus laundry facilities.
The panels are expected to supply half of the hot water used by the laundries’ Maytag washers, thereby significantly reducing each facility’s carbon footprint.

Circuit is the market leader for fully managed laundries and works in partnership with 80 per cent of the top universities in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.

For more information, email info@circuitgroup.com or call 0800 032 0070.