Intake Primary Academy is one of 14 schools, across three Doncaster constituencies, to receive Government funding to upgrade its facilities, including a new roof system, incorporating solar PV.
Part of a wider Government initiative to improve school infrastructure, the project at Intake Primary Academy used part of the funding allocated to renovate its 1,590m2 roof.
These upgrades were needed to help future-proof the main building, prevent any future leakages and create a warm and comfortable environment for the children and staff.
As part of this, the school also wanted to explore the possibility of creating a sustainable roof – which would enable it to harness the benefits of solar power to reduce future energy costs and decrease its overall environmental footprint.
To maximise funding available, Intake Primary Academy needed a cost-effective roofing solution – but it also needed to ensure the materials it chose were high-quality, robust and durable, so the roof would perform well for decades to come.
K. Humphries & Sons Roofing Contractors carried out the initial installation of Acme/ Single Camber clay plain tiles, specified by AHR Global, an architectural firm based in Huddersfield. AHR Global selected the tiles after using Marley’s sample service, with the purchase made through Burtons Roofing Merchants. Jennings Roofing in Leeds installed the solar panels.
To manage costs and align with the academy’s available funding, the project was completed in two phases:
- Phase one – Summer 2022 – full roof system installs using Marley’s Acme Single Camber clay plain tiles in the Mixed Brindle colourway.
- Phase two – Summer 2023 – retrofitted Marley’s integrated solar PV panel system –Marley SolarTile® – adding 91 410wp solar panels to the roofscape.
“Marley’s Acme Single Camber clay plain tiles were selected for their durability, first rate environmental credentials and compatibility with our integrated Solar solution, which would be retrofitted to the roof as part of the project’s second phase.” explains James Seawell, Regional Sales Director at Marley.
Additionally, by selecting Marley’s full roof system, the Academy also benefited from a 15-year warranty – guaranteeing the roof’s performance for years to come.
The academy also benefited from Marley’s technical expertise to ensure the optimal solar PV configuration, explains James: “Looking at a variety of factors, including the roof’s pitch and position against the sun, our technical team were able to design a configuration to reducing the academy’s solar power generation, in turn reducing its energy costs and carbon footprint.”
“The combination of Marley’s Acme Single Camber clay plain tiles and our integrated, in-roof solar PV solution – Marley SolarTile® – created a sleek and modern final look for the academy,” adds James.
“The pictures speak for themselves – and the school is already reaping the cost-saving benefits of the solar PV system.”