As part of the Government’s commitment to produce energy in an environmentally beneficial and sustainable manner, solar thermal technologies have been installed at the Tercentenary Hall as part of a pilot project.

Four flat plate collectors and four evacuated tube collectors have been installed; half of these have been installed facing south and the other half facing south- west. These systems will be monitored over a period of twelve months to gather data and ascertain which orientation and system are the most efficient. The collected data will allow for an effective introduction of solar thermal energy and accelerate the integration of renewable technologies.

This trial forms part of the Government’s commitment to produce at least 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, as required under the Directive on Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources (2009/28/EC), with a view to increasing this in the long term.