As part of reducing the amount of energy supplied and instead investing in renewable energy sources, Akademiska Hus, in collaboration with Örebro University, has been supplying the campus area with solar cells in various stages since 2008. First out was the Bilberg House, followed by the Technology House, the Long House, the Gymnastics House, the Prism House and the Union House. Now it's the turn of the University Library, where a new facility with a production capacity of just over 230,000 kWh/year has just been commissioned. In total, this is an area of 5,600 m2 that is now covered by solar panels and an investment of SEK 14 million.
"It's very gratifying. Previously, our large roofs were just unused and invisible surfaces. Now they are instead useful and produce their own electricity for our premises," says Johan Schnürer, Vice-Chancellor of Örebro University.
Excess energy during the summer
Together, the seven plants are estimated to produce 1.1 million kWh of environmentally friendly solar energy per year, equivalent to the average consumption of 75 normal-sized houses or driving about 140 laps around the world with an electric car. The energy will be used in Akademiska Hus' buildings on campus and, as one of the few campuses in Sweden, the solar cell systems will also produce more electrical energy during sunny summer months than Örebro University consumes. The surplus will initially be sold to an energy supplier, but Akademiska Hus is investigating various possibilities for using this energy on campus in the future.
"We follow developments in energy storage on an ongoing basis, including in collaboration with students and researchers. It feels fantastic that so many roofs on Campus Örebro now have solar cells and that we have succeeded in creating a campus where we generate more electricity than we use over the year. The investment is proof that we are putting a lot of effort into achieving a more sustainable energy supply and that we, together with Örebro University, are contributing to a fossil-free society," says Erik Florman, Head of Sustainability at Akademiska Hus.
The road to climate neutrality
Akademiska Hus has high climate goals and will achieve a zero vision for its climate footprint. The investment in solar cells at Örebro University is one of several similar investments on campuses around the country. At present, Akademiska Hus has 129 facilities in its national property portfolio that annually produce 9.5 million kWh of sustainable electrical energy for Swedish higher education institutions. This makes Akademiska Hus the real estate company in the country with the most solar cell installations. Until 2024, the company plans to take further action by installing more plants that, when completed, will contribute to Akademiska Hus' total amount of solar electricity being estimated to amount to just over 13.5 million kWh per year.