Solar project helping charity to save its energy

A local charity will be harnessing the benefits of green technology thanks to a sustainability project at Highbury College Portsmouth.

Hampshire Autistic Society, which offers help and advice to people on the autistic spectrum, their carers and professionals across the South of England, will be making the most of the sunshine when the College's plumbing students install a new solar thermal heating system in one of its care buildings.

After they have installed the new solar thermal heating system the students will be using an identical building next door and previous gas records to predict how much energy and money the charity will be able to save as a result of switching to the sustainable technology.

Eddie Bergin, plumbing lecturer at Highbury, says: "A lot of people talk about renewable energies but we found talking to the public and talking to installers, there's not a lot of knowledge out there. So what we thought we'd do is install a real system in a real house so our students can see what it does but also so we can gather data.

"We're really fortunate we have got two properties to work on from Hampshire Autistic Society. They're both exactly the same and what we are doing is replacing the hot water system in one house and comparing these. We have got gas bills for the last two years and we can monitor how much we save so we can use it as a real working model and demonstrate to people that it actually does work and can save money.

"It is definitely a popular idea and everybody's talking about it but if you look around here on the south coast, you don't see that many panels so we're hoping this will start to take off. At the end of the day we have to do something about the energy crisis."

Sally Hillyear, Fundraising Manager at Hampshire Autistic Society, says:  "We are delighted that Highbury College chose our property at Brockhurst Road, Gosport to install the solar panels.

"The two houses were purpose built after a long fundraising campaign in 2002 and are identical in every way, so it is a perfect comparison and enables us to monitor the savings we can make.

"Like everyone we are always looking to try and save energy, recycle and be more environmentally friendly and this really boosts our green policy.  We are very grateful to Eddie and the students at Highbury College for this opportunity."

The project is part of a long-term focus by the College to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. Through its Highbury Planet: Centre for Sustainability initiative it is developing a number of sustainable technology programmes including solar thermal heating and rainwater harvesting.

Highbury College will be giving advice and information while promoting their sustainability courses at the Portsmouth Green Fair being held in Guildhall Square and Victoria Park on July 17, from 11am to 4pm. To find out more about the fair, please visit www.portsmouthgreenfair.co.uk.

For more information about sustainability at Highbury College Portsmouth, please call Leanne Couchman on (023) 9238 3131 and for more information about Hampshire Autistic Society and the property, please call Sally Hillyear, on 01489 880881 ext 203.

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