Vital Energi has successfully completed a flagship roof-mounted solar project at Glasgow’s historic Kelvin Hall. The landmark project for Glasgow City Council, featuring over 1,000 solar panels and worth approximately £1.5 million, demonstrates Vital Energi’s growing presence in Scotland’s renewable energy sector and its capability to deliver complex technical solutions in challenging built environments.
The ambitious project at Kelvin Hall is a key part of Glasgow City Council’s climate action strategy. It is designed to significantly reduce carbon emissions, supply approximately 20% of the building’s annual electricity needs, and generate £182,000 in electricity savings each year.
The installation is accompanied by seven smaller solar installations across Glasgow schools and daycare centres, collectively supporting the city’s journey toward net zero emissions.
The project showcases Vital Energi’s technical innovation capabilities. From custom-designed lifting equipment for safely transporting panels to the roof to the implementation of abseil-style systems that allowed technicians to install panels on the sloped surfaces, these solutions were essential to overcoming the strict limitations inherent in retrofitting modern renewable technology to the culturally significant building, dating back to 1927.
Scott Lutton, Director at Vital Energi Scotland, said: “Working on Kelvin Hall’s protected Category B listed structure presented unique engineering challenges. Our team developed custom mounting solutions for the distinctive barrel-shaped roof while preserving the building’s historic character. This required specialised safety systems for installers working at height and strategic relocation of inverters to optimise system performance.
“We considered more than just the technical aspects of the project—we actively engaged with the community to ensure the voices of those affected by potential disruptions were heard and respected.”
Beyond its environmental impact, the project has delivered significant community benefits, including educational initiatives and employment opportunities. Glasgow-based contractor, Versatile, was engaged for the installation, supporting jobs in the city’s East End. The project has also included classroom presentations on climate action for local schools through our Climate Education Programme, and is providing raised plant beds, soil and plants for community gardens at the daycare centres involved in the wider scheme.
The project adds to the 46 renewable energy installation projects that Vital Energi has delivered to date across Scotland, which include recent solar projects for NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Tayside. The company installed the landmark Queens Quay Heat Pump scheme in West Dunbartonshire in 2019. This is the largest water-source heat pump system in the UK, which extracts heat from the River Clyde to provide low-carbon heating to over 1,200 homes and businesses.
The solar project was 50% funded by Salix Finance, with Glasgow City Council providing the remaining investment.
