SEA LIFE Aquariums
Commercial solar case studies from SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth and SEA LIFE Scarborough
SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
- Sector: Leisure and entertainment
- Installation size: 101 kW
- Annual generation: 90 MWh
- Annual CO2 reduction: 17.57 tonnes
- Return on investment: 3 years
SEA LIFE Scarborough
- Sector: Leisure and entertainment
- Installation size: 73.5 kW
- Annual generation: 69.4 MWh
- Annual CO2 reduction: 13.4 tonnes
- Return on investment: 3.5 years
The challenge: Merlin Entertainments are targetting carbon neutrality by 2030
Merlin Entertainments have an ambition to be carbon neutral in their scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. Identifying energy usage as one of their biggest climate risks – the group have committed to installing renewable technologies across many of their sites.
Their SEA LIFE Aquariums provide year round care to animals and entertainment to the public. A solar installation would need to be carefully managed to ensure safe access for their staff and the public throughout. What’s more, both sites are situated right on the seafront, meaning they are highly exposed to the weather.
Added complexities at SEA LIFE Scarborough include pyramid-shaped buildings with a 46 degree roof pitch, and another roofing contractor on site at the same time.
The solution: Bespoke solar panel arrays scheduled around the client’s needs
Merlin Entertainments chose Good Energy Solar to install bespoke SolarEdge optimised solar arrays at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth and SEA LIFE Scarborough in 2024. Both sites are set to make substatial savings on their annual energy bills, and will achieve a return on investment on both sites in less than 4 years.
Both sites brought with them unique access issues – leading to use of the Mansafe harness system at SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth, and complex scaffolding solutions at SEA LIFE Scarborough to keep Good Energy’s teams safe during installation.
Highly visible to visitors to the attractions and the local beachfront, the beautifully-designed solar arrays demonstrate Merlin Entertainment’s commitment to sustainability – benefitting brand perception.
What’s more, across the two sites, Merlin Entertainments will make an impressive 31 tonne carbon saving each year.
