Blackfriars Station Solar Bridge (London, UK)
N 51° 30.594 W 000° 06.194
30U E 701009 N 5710508
The Blackfriars Railway Bridge, built in 1886 and crossing the River Thames in London between Blackfriars Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, is after installation of photovoltaic panels in 2014 also called "Blackfriars Station Solar Bridge".
Waymark Code: WMMRYN
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 10/31/2014
Views: 15
The Blackfriars Railway Bridge, built in 1886 and crossing the River Thames in London between Blackfriars Bridge and the Millennium Bridge, is after installation of photovoltaic panels in 2014 also called "Blackfriars Station Solar Bridge".
The wrought iron made Blackfriars Railway Bridge, originally called St. Paul's Railway Bridge, was designed by John Wolfe-Barry and Henry Marc Brunel. Bridge was built by Lucas & Aird. When St. Paul's railway station changed its name to Blackfriars in 1937 the bridge changed its name as well. As part of the Thameslink Programme, the platforms at Blackfriars station have been extended across the Thames and partially supported by the older bridge (1864) piers. The work also included the installation of a roof covered with 4 400 photovoltaic solar panels. It is the largest of only two solar bridges in the world (the other being Kurilpa Bridge in Australia). Other green improvements include sun pipes and systems to collect rain water.
The 4 400 solar Sanyo HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) panels, installed on the new structure, are expected to meet 50% of the energy requirements of the station. They are estimated to generate 900 000 kWh/year (at the rate of 850 kWh/kWp).