AES Solar, Forres awarded Gold at Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards for PV installation project at Edinburgh Castle
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AN innovative scheme to install solar panels at Edinburgh Castle by a Forres-based company won a prize at the Scottish Energy Efficiency Awards.
AES Solar - based at Lea Road - managing director George Goudsmit confirmed he was honoured to receive the industry prize in recognition of the firm's solar photovoltaics (PV) installation.
He said: "This is a project very close to us all at AES Solar - staff trips to the capital are now viewed in a whole new light!
"We take great pride in knowing that we were the company that installed solar panels on Edinburgh Castle. And now we have this brilliant accolade recognising the unique project and the care and consideration displayed.
"This is very much one for the whole team – I hope they are as proud of themselves as I am!”
AES Solar applied painstaking energy efficiency measures to the castle, involving the installation of panels on the roof of the Scottish National War Memorial and associated cabling, running from the memorial roof into the Palace Block. The 84 black panels are only visible from the air.
Mr Goudsmit said: "The project did not come without its challenges, in part due to the age of the building but also the historic and cultural significance of the War Memorial which required sensitivity and respect.
"However, AES Solar felt more than up to the task thanks to our 44 years in the industry and our experience working on other historically significant and sensitive sites."
Mr Goudsmit added: "The team took every effort and consideration to respect the building. This was evident at every stage, from the initial site survey to the system design and installation.
"The choice of location and placement of the solar PV panels and routes for the cabling were sensitively thought through to minimise physical and visual impacts.
"The system was designed at a mounting angle to ensure the height of the panels was not visible behind the parapets. On completion of the installation, the roof was covered in grey gravel by the team and any visible aspects of the mounting frame were likewise covered to blend in seamlessly.
"This resulted in an installation that sits harmoniously amongst its surroundings generating clean, renewable energy discreetly hidden.
"The sky's the limit now that historic buildings can be part of the solution to net-zero in Scotland and AES Solar plans to be there every step of the way."
The single-storey masonry and reinforced concrete memorial building situated within the grounds of the castle was constructed between 1924-1927. It is regarded as one of Scotland’s most significant buildings due to its architectural value and its role as a place of remembrance.
The solar panels scheme took the 'Best Small Scale Project of the Year' award at the event.
There were 11 categories at the awards ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Glasgow, on Friday, June 23, attended by individuals and companies throughout Scotland involved in the energy efficiency industry.
Energy Efficiency Awards chairman, Gary Braybrooke, said: “Companies and individuals working in the energy efficiency industry are carrying out some of the most vital work in the UK today.
"We all know we have to be more energy efficient as a nation, but it is our nominees and winners who are at the sharp end, creating often ingenious opportunities to help people save energy, drive down bills and help the environment.”
Event organiser, Kenneth Campbell, added: “Our regional events celebrate the effort and endeavour of everyone in the sector and those, often unsung, heroes driving forward energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
"It is important to highlight the work currently taking place in our industry and I am sure many Scottish businesses and individuals will also feature at our national awards.”
After securing gold in the regional awards, AES Solar now plan to enter the project in the UK-wide Energy Efficiency Awards in September.
