Kingspan insulated panels help to create cost neutral building

Kingspan’s high performance insulated panel and PV products, combined with next-generation battery technology, have been used to create a seamless energy solution for IM Properties’ Electricity Cost Neutral facility at The Hub business park in Birmingham, setting the precedent for future sustainable industrial developments.

The 6,039m² warehouse and office space is situated in a prime location on the edge of the city centre. Developed by IM Properties, the project is set to be the country’s first industrial and logistics space that could effectively benefit from zero electricity bills in the launch of its first Electricity Cost Neutral (ECN) building scheme. To do this, the company has combined Kingspan’s photovoltaic panels with next-generation battery technology, helping it to become the first EPC A+ non-domestic building in Birmingham, and potentially offset 115,956 tonnes of CO₂annually.

894 Kingspan Energy Rooftop Solar PV panels, with a forecast generation of 224,286kWhr, have been installed on the development. Estimates suggest that the building will consume and store 90% of the energy it generates through this solar array, equating to 201,857kWhr of ‘free’ clean energy. The battery can also charge itself from the grid at times when the tariff is at its cheapest, in a process called peak shaving. The projected cost of this power is more than met through revenue generated by various services and schemes, in addition to the potential to exporting the excess electricity back to the grid, creating an Electricity Cost Neutral building.

Kingspan Energy Rooftop Solar PV is a versatile solar photovoltaic (PV) system that is suitable for pitched and flat roof applications on new build, retrofit or refurbishment projects. The solar array was installed over a roof formed from 19,984m²Kingspan Trapezoidal Roof Panels. These through-fix roof panels can deliver U-values as low as 0.18W/m^2.K and are suitable for building applications with roof pitches of 4° or more after deflection. Together, the system carries a unique 25-year combined PV and insulated roof panel guarantee

This pioneering renewable technology has been incorporated within a high-performance building envelope comprising various other Kingspan Insulated Panel products. For the wall, the combination of the classically-industrial profile of the Kingspan Trapezoidal Wall panel in Obsidian, with the striking half-moon finish of the Kingspan Curvewall creates a clean, durable and contemporary aesthetic which visually reflects the innovative nature of the facility.

All the Kingspan insulated panels used on the project have a BRE Green Guide Rating of A+. By using both roof and wall systems from Kingspan Insulated Panels, a potential overall air leakage rate of 3m³/hr/m² @ 50Pa or less can be achieved, therefore allowing energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and resulting costs to be reduced.

All Kingspan Insulated Panels systems are supported by an unrivalled technical support service, from developing the initial concept to the installation and project handover. The design and installation of the roof and wall panels, and the introduction of the photovoltaic and battery was all handled by Kingspan’s in-house technical team. The field services team were also available throughout the construction stage to answer technical queries and ensure compliance with building control regulations.