Located in Shildon, County Durham, Locomotion plays a key role in preserving and celebrating Britain’s railway heritage. As part of the Science Museum Group (SMG), the museum is home to more than 100 historically significant rail vehicles, including the famed Locomotion No. 1. With up to 200,000 visitors annually, and the unveiling of its new £8 million New Hall in May 2024, the museum is aiming to boost annual footfall to 250,000. The expansion also positions Locomotion as home to the largest undercover collection of historic rail vehicles in Europe.
In line with its sustainability goals, CBRE, Locomotion’s facilities management company, commissioned us to design and install solar PV systems on both the original main building and the newly built New Hall, to help offset energy consumption and reduce environmental impact. Planning for the solar PV installation was approved in early 2024 by Durham County Council, with full support from Shildon Town Council. The system was designed to be low-impact and sympathetic to the site, with planning conditions ensuring minimal visual disruption. As part of the project, we also carried out a full decommissioning of a legacy solar system, ensuring a clean and efficient transition to the upgraded solution.
Key features of the solar PV installation at the New Hall:
- 59.89 kWp system
- 40 kW of inverter capacity
- 52,351 kWh of electricity generated per year
- Reduces carbon emissions by 7,118 kg annually
- Five year payback period.
Key features of the solar PV installation at the main building installation:
- 112.36 kWp system
- 80 kW inverter capacity
- 100,239 kWh electricity generated annually
- Reduces carbon emissions by 13,631kg annually
- Four year payback period
We managed the project end-to-end, delivering a complete turnkey solution. This included:
- Full Site Survey
- Full PVSOL Premium 2023 Report and Quotation
- DNO co-ordination
- Planning Application
- Structural Survey
- Pre-installation meeting followed by pre-installation site survey
- Risk assessment
- Required works
- Engineer installation
- Commissioning – Including all necessary AC/DC Test Certifications including all aspects of grid connection with the Local Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
- On-Site Handover and Demonstration
- Documentation
The project was delivered for CBRE and the Science Museum Group. We handled all aspects of the system installation, commissioning, and testing (AC/DC), ensuring successful integration with local grid infrastructure. Upon completion, we provided an on-site handover and demonstration.
As part of our commitment to quality, we delivered a comprehensive handover pack, including:
- Quotation
- Installation Contract
- Solar PV Commercial Survey Report
- Wind And Snow Load Calculations
- System Component Datasheets
- RAMS
- Solar Array Test Report
- Electrical Schematic
- Commercial Completion Sheet
- As-Installed PVSol Report
- Inverter Operating Manual
- Sales Invoice
- Warranty Certificate
- G99 Documentation
- Electrical Installation Test Certificate
- Planning Application and Structural Report
- Drawings
- Maintenance & Cleaning
- Supplier contact details
- Spares & Components list
This project demonstrates our ability to deliver high-performance solar PV solutions within sensitive public and heritage environments. With a combined system size of over 170 kWp, Locomotion now benefits from significant reductions in both energy costs and carbon emissions. We are proud to support such an iconic institution in aligning heritage with sustainability and contributing to a greener future for the region.
At Solarcrown Commercial, we provide a complete end-to-end service for commercial solar PV and LED lighting projects, covering everything from initial surveys and system design to installation, DNO approvals, certification, and ongoing maintenance. We’re known for our hands-on approach, practical expertise, and ability to work flexibly across a range of sectors and building types. Whether you’re looking to reduce energy costs, cut carbon emissions, or meet sustainability targets, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step. With Solarcrown, you’re not just getting a system, you’re getting a reliable partner committed to delivering long-term value.
