Installation of a new roof-mounted solar PV system and permanent edge protection at a busy, operational leisure centre.
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council appointed Seddon to deliver a significant renewable energy upgrade at Bloxwich Active Living Centre, a busy leisure facility serving the local community.
The project involved installing a new solar panel system and permanent safety handrailing on the building’s roof, along with a range of associated electrical works. The centre remained open to the public throughout.
Work commenced on 19th January 2026 and completed on 27th March 2026, ahead of programme.
Works
Working under a JCT Design and Build contract, Seddon took full responsibility for the design and delivery of the scheme. We brought in a specialist solar subcontractor to lead the technical design and installation, and coordinated closely with all parties to develop a detailed, compliant design before work started on site.
The first task was installing a permanent guardrail system around the roof perimeter. This provides safe working conditions for our team and for anyone carrying out future maintenance. The system was fixed directly to the roof without penetrating the waterproof membrane, keeping the building envelope fully intact.
The completed system comprises 854 solar panels covering approximately 460m² of roof, with a total generating capacity of 388.57 kWp. The panels feed into four inverters in the roof plant room. A new electrical distribution board manages the connection to the building’s existing supply, with all the necessary safety controls, metering and monitoring. Electricity exported to the grid is automatically limited to stay within the level agreed with the network operator.
Fire-stopping was installed wherever new cables passed through walls or floors, and earthing and bonding arrangements were updated throughout. A live energy display was also installed in the main lobby so visitors can see how much power the panels are generating in real time.
Issues
Works were carefully phased to avoid disruption to staff and visitors, and safe access to the roof was planned around the centre’s daily operations. Permanent edge protection had to be in place before any panels could be installed. The building’s existing electrical system also needed upgrading to handle the power being generated and to feed it back into the grid safely. All work had to meet current electrical safety standards and the requirements of the local electricity network operator.
Achievements
The project was completed ahead of programme. That’s a strong achievement given the complexity of working on a busy, operational public building.
The system is expected to generate around 340 MWh of clean electricity every year, saving an estimated 65 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. For a leisure centre with significant energy demands from pool heating, lighting and ventilation, this is a lasting improvement that directly supports the council’s sustainability goals.
Social Value
Alongside the main works, the team gave something back to the local area. During the early stages of the project, staff carried out litter picking and cleared footpaths around the building for the benefit of the wider community.