☀️ Sun Powered Sports: Solar Project Now Live at McLaren Leisure
McLaren Leisure has taken a major step towards a more sustainable future, with the successful installation and commissioning of a new solar energy system at the centre.
The project, known as Sun Powered Sports, is now fully operational, generating clean electricity on-site and helping to reduce both energy costs and carbon emissions for the facility.
🌍 About the Project
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed across several roof areas at McLaren Leisure, delivering a total capacity of approximately 140kW. This allows the centre to generate a significant proportion of its own electricity from renewable sources.
In addition, a 100kW battery storage system has been installed alongside the panels. This enables excess energy generated during the day to be stored and used later, ensuring that more of the clean energy produced on-site can be utilised efficiently, even when sunlight levels are lower.
Together, these technologies are helping to:
- Reduce reliance on grid electricity
- Lower overall energy costs
- Cut carbon emissions
- Improve long-term sustainability of the facility
🏗 Who Was Involved
The installation was carried out by Ledi Renewables, a local renewable energy contractor with expertise in solar and battery systems.
The project was made possible thanks to funding from the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), which helps communities invest in renewable energy solutions and reduce their environmental impact.
⚡ Now Live: Solar & Battery in Action
The system is now fully up and running, with both solar generation and battery storage actively being utilised on site. Electricity generated by the solar panels is used directly within the building, while surplus energy is stored in the battery for later use, maximising efficiency and reducing waste.
👀 Follow Our Progress
Visitors to McLaren Leisure can see the system in action through a live display screen located at reception.
The display provides real-time information on:
- Current solar energy generation
- Energy being used within the building
- Battery storage levels
- Environmental impact, including carbon savings
This allows everyone in the community to see the benefits of renewable energy first-hand and track how the system performs over time.
🔋 Looking Ahead
There are opportunities to expand the system further in the future, increasing the centre’s renewable energy capacity if additional funding becomes available. McLaren Leisure will continue to share updates as the project develops and as further sustainability initiatives are explored.
🌞 A Greener Future for the Community
The Sun Powered Sports project represents a significant investment in the future of McLaren Leisure and the wider community. By harnessing the power of the sun, the centre is reducing its environmental impact while creating a more resilient and cost-effective energy system, ensuring it can continue to serve the community for years to come.