Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

A shining example

2/ 5/2008

MANCAT have set a shining example at their Harpurhey campus.

The college employs solar panels that - in good weather - can produce up to half the power needs of North Manchester Sixth Form.

This is just one of a variety of eco improvements that have allowed the college to cut its fuel bill by a third in the face of rising utility costs.

Bosses at MANCAT claim they have shaved £300,000 from their £1m fuel bill in the last year alone and that savings would have been even higher had gas and electricity costs not soared in the last two years.

Since opening in 2005, the Rochdale Road site has saved 32kwh compared to a more conventional design, enough power to light a terraced house for 50 years.

It was designed to utilise the maximum amount of daylight in order to minimise the need for electrical lighting.

The building's other eco-friendly features include 'windcatcher' vents on its roof which provide a natural source of air conditioning for the site, and an underground reservoir which recycles rainwater to supply water for the toilets.

Last month, the building was named a winner for its environmentally-friendly features in a competition run by the Green Organisation charity.

MANCAT principal Peter Tavernor said: "We are absolutely delighted with the way the building works.

"The photovoltaic panels at the centre are a key feature of the building - in terms of function and also design.

"They have conserved considerable amounts of energy and money since the centre opened and they have also made the building a distinctive landmark in North Manchester.

"The display inside the centre means that the local community can see the savings that have been made for themselves, which helps to promote green issues to a wider audience."

The college has also received a £150,000 grant from the Learning and Skills Council which will pay for further improvements across all sites, including 'smart' lighting and heating systems that automatically switch off during evenings and when the buildings are not in use.