Fullerians Rugby Club is poised to receive a major boost in both financial and environmental sustainability thanks to funding from Watford Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Grant scheme...
The club’s pavilion roof is now home to 85 high-performance 600-watt solar panels – an installation that will not only save the club thousands of pounds annually but also support the town’s ambitious net zero goals.
The solar array is expected to generate an impressive 48,000 kWh of clean energy annually, which is enough to power more than 15 average UK homes each year. With a payback period of just three years and three months, the system will be delivering long-term savings for the club into the future.
Each year, the system will eliminate 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions - equivalent to planting approximately 550 trees annually, removing nine petrol vehicles from the road or offsetting the emissions from nearly 30,000 miles of air travel.
Malcolm Harrison, Chairman of Fullerians RFC, said: “Fullerians RFC was thrilled to be chosen as a recipient of a neighbourhood grant from Watford Borough Council. Installing the solar panels will significantly reduce our electricity costs whilst also benefitting the environment.
“The savings generated will be reinvested directly back into the club, helping us to keep membership fees low and accessible for all. Also allowing us to continue improving club facilities for current and future members alike.”
The project aligns with Watford Borough Council’s wider commitment to making the town a greener, cleaner place to live, work and play. By empowering local organisations through initiatives like the Neighbourhood Grant, the council is ensuring that sustainability is a shared mission – one that reaches deep into the heart of the community.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: "I’m really pleased that we could support Fullerians Rugby Club with a Neighbourhood Grant, helping them become more sustainable. These solar panels will not only be good for the environment but will save the club thousands of pounds every year. They are a fantastic local group and I’m delighted that we’ve supported them in this way.”
The solar project at Fullerians follows a series of recent energy-saving upgrades across the town, including similar installations at Woodside Leisure Centre. Together, these projects are helping to move Watford closer to its target of becoming a net zero carbon town.
The club hopes the new solar system will not only provide long-term financial savings but also inspire other community groups to explore how they too can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Technical spec:
- Solar installation by Prostar Energy
- Power: 51 kWp 85 x panels
- 40 kW of inverters, with 9kWh of batteries
- Annual generation: 47,950 kWh
- Self-consumption: 18,158 kWh
- Self-sufficiency: 45%
- Payback: 3 years 3 months
- CO2 saved per year: 12 tons
All images credited to: b4b media
