Commercial solar company Absolar has completed the installation of 144 lightweight solar panels at the Grade I-listed De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, as part of the venue’s ‘An Icon For Everyone’ redevelopment project.
Installed on the auditorium roof, the 77.7kWp system is expected to generate around 71,570kWh of electricity each year, meeting approximately 20% of the building’s annual electricity demand.
According to Absolar, this is the first UK installation of this lightweight solar panel model used for the project. Weighing 7.2kg/m², the panels were selected to suit the pavilion’s original steel roof structure while preserving capacity for future building upgrades.
The installation also includes GoodWe inverters, which have been integrated with the building’s existing electrical infrastructure and are compatible with future battery storage.
Balancing heritage with energy generation
The De La Warr Pavilion was designed by architect Erich Mendelsohn and structural engineer Felix Samuely. As a Grade I-listed building, the project required a system that could be installed without placing excessive loads on the original structure.
Absolar says the system combines lightweight construction with high energy generation and manufacturer warranties, allowing the building to improve its energy performance while maintaining its historic fabric.
The company estimates the installation will reduce carbon emissions by around 18 tonnes each year.
Stewart Drew, CEO and Director of the De La Warr Pavilion, comments, “As we celebrate the 90th year of the De La Warr Pavilion, I couldn’t be prouder to see these solar panels being installed.
“It’s a milestone moment and one that reflects our ongoing dedication to environmental sustainability, strengthening the long-term resilience of the building and reducing its operational impact on the environment.
“These super-lightweight panels are the first of their kind to be installed in the UK and have been carefully chosen to be sympathetic to the existing roof, preserving the integrity of this Grade I-listed, modernist landmark.”
Kathryn Field, Portfolio Holder for Environment at Rother District Council, adds, “We are delighted that the solar panels are being installed at the De La Warr Pavilion.
“This funding has enabled a major investment in environmental sustainability which will greatly reduce the Pavilion’s carbon footprint.”
Part of a wider redevelopment programme
The solar installation has been funded through Rother District Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Climate Emergency Bonus Fund and forms part of the pavilion’s An Icon For Everyone transformation project.
The wider programme includes new learning and community spaces, refurbishment of the auditorium and galleries, accessibility improvements, and measures to improve the building’s environmental performance.
Phil Wu, CEO of Absolar, says, “It’s been a real honour to be part of this project, as the De La Warr Pavilion is such a community asset, steeped in history and loved by the people of Bexhill. We were determined to find a solution that protects and preserves it for the next 90 years and beyond.
“As a listed building used daily by artists and the wider community, we approached this as much as an art project as an engineering one.
“Absolar chose modern solar panels, which are lightweight yet don’t compromise on performance. This means we fully respect the building’s original structure while securing its energy future.
“We’re proud to be part of its journey, helping make it both structurally sound and environmentally ready for the next century.”
