Absolar has completed the installation of 144 ultra-lightweight solar panels on the auditorium roof of the De La Warr Pavilion, one of Britain's most celebrated modernist buildings. The new 77.7kWp array will generate around 20% of the Grade I listed venue's annual electricity needs, without a single alteration to the historic structure beneath it.
The project forms part of An Icon For Everyone, the Pavilion's major transformation programme delivered in partnership with Rother District Council, and marks the first UK installation of this particular lightweight solar module.
Designed by Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff and opened in 1935, the De La Warr Pavilion is protected by its Grade I listing, and its original steel roof was engineered by Felix Samuely for the loads of its era, not for a modern solar array. Rather than adapt the building to fit standard panels, Absolar sourced modules built for exactly this challenge.
At just 7.2kg/m², the panels chosen for the project are among the lightest high-performance solar modules available commercially, roughly a third the weight of a conventional glass-and-aluminium panel. That weight saving allowed the full 144-panel array to sit within the roof's existing load-bearing capacity, preserving headroom for future auditorium equipment and upgrades, while still delivering industry-leading efficiency, generation output and manufacturer warranties.
The array is paired with the latest GoodWe inverters, chosen for seamless integration with the Pavilion's existing electrical infrastructure and to leave the door open for battery storage further down the line, which would push the building's energy self-reliance even higher.
That carbon saving is roughly equivalent to the electricity used for the stage lighting of around 715 productions, based on a typical 50kW/hour West End lighting rig.
"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."
Dr Phil Wu, CEO, Absolar
The Pavilion's own leadership welcomed the installation as a milestone in the venue's 90th anniversary year.
"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."
Stewart Drew, CEO and Director, De La Warr Pavilion
Councillor Kathryn Field, Rother District Council's portfolio holder for environment, said the installation reflected the wider commitment behind the project:
"This funding has enabled a major investment in environmental sustainability which will greatly reduce the Pavilion's carbon footprint. We're currently promoting information on our website that provides advice on how we can all help in the face of a climate emergency. This solar panel installation is a great example of the commitment of all the partners to support protection of our local environment."
Cllr Kathryn Field, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Rother District Council
The installation was funded through Rother District Council's Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Climate Emergency Bonus Fund, as part of the Pavilion's broader An Icon For Everyone transformation. That wider programme will redevelop the venue's learning and community spaces, refurbish its auditorium and galleries, improve accessibility, and secure its future as a creative and cultural home for the region.
For Absolar, the De La Warr Pavilion sits alongside a growing portfolio of solar installations on heritage and listed buildings, where the brief is rarely just about generation capacity. It is about finding a technical solution that respects the architecture, satisfies conservation requirements, and still delivers a meaningful reduction in operational carbon and cost.
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