Blackfriars Bridge the world’s largest solar bridge

London’s biggest array of solar panels will top the new river-spanning Blackfriars station.

Engineers are installing over 4,400 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels covering an area of 6,000 square metres. The new Blackfriars station, being built on the historic bridge, will span the River Thames. Originally built in 1886 Network Rail is upgrading the bridge and building a large new station as part of the Thameslink programme.

The solar panels will generate an estimated 900,000 kilowatts of electricity every year, providing 50% of the station’s energy and reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 511 tonnes per year.

In addition to solar panels, other energy saving measures at the new station will include rain harvesting systems and sun pipes for natural lighting. Once the upgrade is complete, up to 24 trains per hour will be able to run through central London boosting capacity on the popular Bedford-Brighton line.