Southampton Science Park's Renewable Power Backup Project was a finalist in the Energy Reduction Project, Product or Service category at the Big Sustainability Awards 2026. Absolar designed the system and is delivering it. It replaces the diesel generator at Gamma House with solar generation, battery storage and grid connection, and supports continuity for more than 1,000 people working across the Park.
The awards and gala dinner took place on Thursday 24 September at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. The Southern Sustainability Partnership organised the evening.
Gamma House needed a back-up supply that did not depend on diesel. The system combines on-site solar, battery storage and the grid. It avoids unnecessary generator activation during brief power interruptions and removes the Park's dependence on fossil fuel for back-up power.
We worked with the Park over several years to develop the design.
Stuart Perry, Operations Director at Southampton Science Park, said: "This demonstrates how we're investing in forward-thinking solutions to move away from fossil fuels."
Dr Phil Wu, Director of Absolar, said: "Integrated battery-backed resilience systems offer an attractive flexible and lower-carbon approach."
More detail of this project can be found here.
The Southern Sustainability Partnership chose the Sustainability Centre in Hampshire as its 2026 charity partner. The Centre is a charity that inspires people to live and work in ways that benefit both people and the planet. We look after its solar PV system and keep it performing long after commissioning, so it was good to see the Centre in the room.
The Absolar team attended with Stuart Perry from the Park. Thanks to the Southern Sustainability Partnership for a well run evening, and to the Science Park team for the years of work behind the project.
It avoids starting a generator for brief power interruptions, and it removes the need for fossil fuel as the back-up source. At Gamma House the battery works with on-site solar and the grid.
Yes. We provide proactive cleaning and maintenance, and we manage the system for its full service life. The Sustainability Centre's PV system is one we maintain.
If you're unsure whether solar will work for your site, a data-led assessment remains the best place to start.
If you would like to know more about your building's solar potential, you can request a free Remote Solar Survey here, or contact our friendly solar engineering team.
📍 Visit us: Engineering Centre, Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7PT
📞 Phone: 02382 680 106
✉️ Email: info@absolar.co.uk
🌐 Website: www.absolar.co.uk
👉 Or use our AI-powered solar calculator to request a Remote Solar Survey report for your property.
Follow us for updates: LinkedIn
© 2026 Absolar Solutions Limited
.avif)
.avif)