Warwickshire News Mine

Eliot Park Innovation Centre in Nuneaton has won the Solar Architecture Award in the Eurosolar UK Awards 2006.

Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member for the Environment, said: “The EPIC building in Nuneaton is setting national standards in how a building can be both functional, innovative and environmentally friendly. This latest award demonstrates not only Warwickshire County Council’s commitment to helping new businesses get off the ground, but also our commitment to protecting natural resources.”

EPIC is owned by Warwickshire County Council and won the award for its use of photovoltaic panels on its southern façade. These are a first for the solar industry in the UK and have been mounted onto a curved array using the latest technology. The panels will generate electricity for more than 50 businesses based at EPIC and provide between 15 and 20 per cent of the electricity demand in this highly energy efficient building.

The curved panel was designed by architects SMC Corstorphine and Wright, based in Warwick.

In awarding Warwickshire the top prize the judges said: “What an inspiring place for businesses to be based. The link between money-making business activity and clean energy from the sun is clear for all to see.”

The EPIC building is no stranger to awards and in the last few months has collected the award for Environmental Performance in the FORCE awards, recognising achievements by building firms, the Sustainability Award 2005 from the Institute for Civil Engineering West Midlands and received recognition for it’s state-of-the-art technology when it achieved an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating (Business Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method).

County Councillor Chris Saint, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development said: “Its great news that EPIC has won yet another award. The building has been built using locally sourced materials wherever possible and is one of the most environmentally friendly and innovative in the region. It sets new standards, both in the energy efficient way the building has been designed and constructed, and in the facilities it provides.”

The construction has been designed to minimise energy required for lighting, heating and power, with a projected energy usage and CO2 emissions of less than 50 per cent of those of a standard commercial office space.

Fresh air at a controlled temperature is circulated through the floor structures, providing heating, cooling and ventilation. Sensors detect and adjust the lighting according to the level of natural light; optimising illumination and ensuring that only occupied areas of the building are lit. Combined these systems have created a much greener building.

Built on a brown field site, EPIC has 4,245 square metres of floor space divided into around 50 units allowing space to grow within the centre. It was funded by Warwickshire County Council and Advantage West Midlands with grant support from the European Regional Development Fund. On-site business support and management is provided by Coventry University Enterprises (CUE) Ltd.

It has also been awarded a large grant under the DTI’s Major Photovoltaic Demonstration Programme, which provides grants for the installation of solar electric panels. See http://www.solarpvgrants.co.uk for more details. For more information about EPIC visit http://www.epic-online.co.uk.

Link to WCC