Solar energy to power long-term climate measurements in East Anglia
A solar energy system has just been installed to power the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory in Norfolk.
The new solar array covers 190 m2 and is expected to generate around 30,000 kWh of electricity annually, which will provide approximately 40% of the power required to run the observatory.
The observatory provides long-term continuous measurements of greenhouse gases, air pollutants, and meteorological conditions. Its location means it can make vital measurements of polluted air coming from London, the Midlands, Europe, and maritime emissions.
The observatory lies within a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To minimise local environmental impacts, the solar array was mounted on an existing area of hardstanding, without breaking ground, and at a low profile so as not to distort air movement.
Investing in renewable energy is a quick and straightforward way to reduce carbon emissions from research operations. Funded by the University of East Anglia, the new solar array is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions associated with powering the observatory by 8 tonnes a year. Over its 25 year lifetime, that is a carbon saving equivalent to 170 long haul flights.
By powering our atmospheric observatory with solar energy, we’re not just studying climate change, we’re actively lowering our carbon footprint while doing so. In a little over a week, we have generated enough power on site to run the observatory for 5 days, a lot of which has been fed back to the National Grid. The next challenge is to explore how we can utilise all of the power on-site.
Dr Grant Forster – research scientist at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and University of East Anglia, who oversees operation at the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory.
The Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory is owned and operated by UEA, supported by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science since 2002. It is part of the Integrated Carbon and Observation Systems, and the World Meteorological Organizations’ Global Atmosphere Watch programme.