We’ve got the Power!

NPTC Group of Colleges’ Llandarcy Academy of Sport has unveiled its new roof mounted solar Photovoltaic panels this week with a little help from Ospreys Joe Bearman, Jonathan Spratt and Aaron Jarvis.

  • Players help launch new solar panels at their Llandarcy Academy of Sport training ground
  • Scheme sees two key commercial partners of the region, NPTC Group and Dryhouse working in collaboration
  • The campus is expected to use most of the energy generated by the system but the surplus will be sold back to the National Grid 

The 150kWp Solar Photovoltaic System situated on Llandarcy Academy of Sport’s roof  will be used to power the Colleges dedicated  Sport and Public Services campus, including the many classrooms and IT Suites , training and fitness areas, the sports hall and arena  even the  treadmills in the gym!

This is the College’s first large-scale solar energy project, which is key in working towards NPTC Group’s environmental aim of reducing its energy consumption by an annual five percent.

The campus is expected to use most of the energy generated by the system but the surplus will be sold back to the National Grid or may be used to power the newly renovated Pavilion Sports Bar and Restaurant. A plan to extend the project to the other campuses is also in the pipeline with the Neath Campus hopefully being the next to take on solar energy.

The system which was installed by Swansea-based DryHouse Ltd, who, like NPTC Group are shirt sponsors of the Ospreys, incorporates renewable electricity-generating components. These are installed at an optimal angle on a supporting roof or wall, with the rest of the installation installed within the building.


Mark Dacey, NPTC Group of Colleges’ CEO said: ‘’As one of the largest Colleges in Wales we realise that we have a long standing commitment to become as environmental responsible as possible and already have Green Dragon Level 4 status.  We are always  looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment and the benefits of solar energy include lower carbon emissions and reduced electricity bills but will also make a significant impact to reducing our reliance on grid electricity.’’

He added:  “The fact that Dryhouse Ltd was so passionate about renewable energy provided us with a great reason to work with them on the installation which was completed quickly, on time and with no problems.”

Llandarcy Academy of Sport has been home to the Ospreys for more than 12 years and the team makes full use of the elite sporting facilities that are on offer and welcome the College’s decision to install solar energy.

Yarnie Guthrie, Commercial Manager, Ospreys Rugby, said:

“We benefit from first class training facilities at Llandarcy Academy of Sport, fitting for a first class team and are proud to call it home. As a business that believes passionately in protecting our environment for future generations it’s great news that we will now be using clean, green power while the team goes about it’s every day business.

“Just as pleasing is the fact that we have been able to bring together two of our premium commercial partners, enabling this to happen, a clear benefit of working in partnership with Ospreys Rugby, on and off the field.”

Paul Taylor from DryHouse Ltd which is a Micro-generated certificate scheme (MCS) accredited Solar Photovoltaic installer said he was delighted to be working with NPTC Group of Colleges on the installation, and the fact that he was a huge Ospreys supporter made working at Llandarcy Academy of sport even better:

“Not only will this installation at NPTC Group of Colleges help reduce energy bill, we hope that by showcasing the principles of solar generated energy to the students,  it will encourage them to think of the benefits that it can provide, the potential  of the technology - and the importance of sustainable energy as part of the UK's future,” said Paul.