If you've been around the River Thames recently you'll have noticed the construction work taking place on the new Blackfriars Station, which is being built on a bridge spanning the river. A new bridge isn't very newsworthy, but the fact that it is on its way to becoming the world's largest solar bridge is!
London-based company Solarcentury has now begun installing over 4,400 solar photovaltic (PV) panels that are to generate an estimated 900,000kWh of electricity every year. This will produce 50% of the station's energy and reduce CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes per year!
But that's not all. The new station, build on the foundations of a 1886 Victorian bridge will also have other energy saving measures, such as rain harvesting systems and sun pipes to let more natural light in.
We're loving that London's new builds like Blackfriars are more environmentally-friendly and sustainable that its predecessors, as it is imperative for a bright future for the capital.
Now what if The Shard, London's latest skyline addition, was built with solar panels...
