A Greener Future for Leatherhead Leisure Centre: Solar Carports Coming Soon
Something exciting is coming to Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Mole Valley District Council has partnered with JOJU Solar to install new solar carports in the centre car park. These new car ports will generate clean, renewable electricity on-site, helping to power the leisure centre directly.
What Are Solar Carports?
Solar carports are simple in concept: they provide covered parking while capturing sunlight through solar panels mounted on the top. The energy produced flows straight into the leisure centre, helping to run everyday operations more sustainably.
For visitors, the carports offer shelter from rain and sun, making parking more comfortable year‑round.
Why Are They Being Installed?
The installation will produce around 33 kWh of renewable energy, reducing the centre’s reliance on electricity purchased from the national grid. In practical terms, this means a significant cut in the centre’s scope 2 emissions, the carbon footprint associated with energy generated elsewhere and brought into the building.
By generating power right where it’s needed, the leisure centre can avoid releasing an estimated 4.4 tonnes of CO₂ every year. That’s roughly equivalent to the emissions from driving a typical petrol car over 10,000 miles. It’s a small change with a big impact, and it supports our wider commitment to reducing fossil fuel use and moving toward a more sustainable future.
