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Replacement Solar Photovoltaic Panel Project

June 30, 2025

A project to install additional solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of SOFT and replace the dated PVs on the DDM building will begin in July – August 2025. The aim of the project is to increase the efficiency of our PV systems and to generate more renewable energy for the Penryn Campus.

The existing PV panels were first installed in 2012, when the technology at the time was expected to generate clean energy over the next 12 years and was chosen as a greener alternative to reduce carbon emissions, rather than a way of achieving any significant financial savings.

However, 13 years later and the advance in technology means that it is time to invest in upgrading to the latest PV panels to increase efficiencies and generate far greater cost savings.

Fergus Chan, Carbon & Energy Manager at FX Plus, said:

“I find joy in seeing how far technology has come since 2012 when the current PVs were first installed. In their day they were cutting edge, but today’s PV panels can achieve much more for us.”

It is estimated that the new PVs will generate approximately 193 MWh annually, which amounts to over 40 tCO2e carbon saving.

If you have any questions about this project or would like more information about decarbonisation on campus, please contact the Sustainability team on sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Eco-Block Pilot Project at Glasney Village

June 13, 2025

Glasney Village, a significant carbon emitter, is the focus of an Eco-Block Pilot Project, starting with Glasney Parc Block A.

As part of our combined efforts to decarbonise campus, the pilot project, which is the first of its kind, sets out to explore the feasibility of implementing a district heating system using air source heat pumps, which in the future could see us move away from using natural gas to heat student residences.

Other green technologies such as Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels and a Building Management System with Automatic Monitoring and Targeting will also be incorporated to generate energy and improve energy efficiency of the accommodation blocks.

Initially, the pilot project will begin this summer (July-August 2025) with Glasney Parc Block A as we start to replace gas boilers and install a standalone air source heat pump and PVs onto the roof of the building.

The project is supported by the Salix Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, an initiative funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, which provides grants to public sector organisations to implement energy saving and carbon reducing technologies in their buildings. This initial phase (Glasney Park Block A) of the project has been awarded a £55k grant towards the £114k total project cost.

In the future, it is hoped that more air source heat pumps could be installed and connected across numerous residence blocks at Glasney Village, to realise the efficiencies and carbon savings associated with a district heating system.

Other plans to continue to improve the fabric of our buildings, such as improved insulation, windows and doors, as well as LED lighting upgrades, would also improve the energy efficiency of the buildings and help us achieve even greater carbon savings. If you have any questions about this project or would like more information about decarbonisation on campus, please contact the Sustainability team on sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.

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Decarbonisation Progresses on Campus with Replacement Boiler Project

June 11, 2025

Decarbonisation efforts continue on campus as we progress to explore and implement new ways to heat our buildings, by moving away from natural gas and transitioning to greener alternatives.

In May (2025), a major milestone has been reached with the completion of the SERSF and Stella Turk Replacement Boiler Project. Five gas boilers have now been replaced with four air source heat pumps.

We are pleased to report that the new heating system is now fully operational. The hot water and the heating (in the months that we need it) in SERSF and Stella Turk, is supplied by the heat pump system which has been successfully installed onto the roof of the SERSF building.

The complex operation to install the system involved lifting the heat pumps into place by crane, fixing them to the roof with a base bracket and laying new pipework and connections for the two buildings.
The project is a direct result of feasibility studies carried out in 2021 by WSP, which identified moving away from gas heating as one of the key areas to help the Universities of Exeter and Falmouth achieve their ambitious net-zero decarbonisation targets by 2040.

A conservative estimate predicts that the system will deliver annual savings of over 102 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. However, it is likely to be more than this due to the potential efficiency gains and changes we have made in replacing the heating system, which could further improve performance.

The Replacement Boiler Project is the first in a series of other significant decarbonisation projects taking place on campus, as we strive to innovate and adopt new technologies to help the Universities reach our shared sustainability goals.

Other ongoing projects include the LED Lighting System Upgrades, a Pilot Eco-Block Project at Glasney Park Block A (the first of its kind), the continued replacement of dated Solar Photovoltaic panels and an expansion of the Electric Vehicle charging facilities on campus.

If you have any questions or would like more information about decarbonisation on campus, please contact the Sustainability team on sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.

About FX Plus

Falmouth Exeter Plus (FX Plus) delivers shared services for Falmouth University and the University of Exeter in Cornwall to ensure a top quality experience for students, staff and all users of Falmouth and Penryn campuses.

Our vision is to provide ‘Exceptional environments that enable talented and creative minds to thrive’.