Community venue that’s hosted top names including Elton John set for solar upgrades

A solar scheme led by Glasgow City Council is set to install a solar array at eight sites across the city, including the historic Kelvin Hall

Driven by their aspiration to become a net zero city by 2030, the project is set to install solar pv at eight sites across the city. Sites encompass five primary schools, two adult day care centres and the iconic Kelvin Hall.

The array at Kelvin Hall will be the largest of those installed under the project, satisfying around 15% of the total energy consumption needs of the building.

An accredited five-star visitor attraction that has achieved the gold award for green tourism on behalf of VisitScotland, the project will support the council’s vision to reduce its carbon footprint and mitigate against the impact of climate change. 

Jade Graham, programme manager at Kelvin Hall, said: “We were the first Glasgow City Council building to achieve that award and we’re really proud of our green credentials.

“We’re absolutely delighted that we can continue with those green credentials and have solar panels along Kelvin Hall.”

Originally built in 1927, Kelvin Hall has a rich history tied to Glaswegian culture. Over the years, it has been the home to some of the city’s most exciting events, concerts and exhibitions. This includes the 1951 Festival of Britain, world championship boxing, rock and classical concerts including Jerry Lee Lewis, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, The Kinks and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

Today, it exists in partnership with charity Glasgow Life, the University of Glasgow and the National Library of Scotland. It offers access to collections, temporary displays, teaching and research, and a state-of-the-art Glasgow Club health and fitness centre. 

The council expects the solar panels to be installed on all buildings by autumn this year, with the installation across all eight sites saving them £183,064 on annual energy bills and reducing their carbon emissions by 158.41 tonnes each year. 

Zoe Hurst, programme manager at Salix, said: “I look forward to continuing to work with Glasgow City Council as the project progresses and to seeing the benefits of the array come to fruition.

“The project brings a modern solution to a historic and well-loved community facility and helps to ensure that it will continue to be fit-for-purpose for generations to come.”

Dalmarnock Primary School, Haghill Primary School, St Bernards Primary School, Camstradden Primary School, Castleton Primary School, Muirhead Road Day Care Centre and Mallaig Road Day Care Centre make up the additional seven sites set to benefit from their own solar installation.

To support the project, the council was awarded £522,302 in funding through the Salix Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme (SEELS), which is delivered by us on behalf of the Scottish Government. The scheme offers zero-interest loans to the public sector to facilitate energy efficiency improvement projects that result in financial and carbon savings and contribute towards achieving their net zero aspirations.