CIS Co-operative insurance Society Solar Tower

Renovate a landmark building using solar panels
2004 —2006
The CIS Solar Tower project is a renewable energy initiative iin Manchester established by the Co-operative Financial Service (CFS) in 2004. The project aimed to resolve the damaged building structure of the tower. In cooperation with the organisation’s ethos and business strategy, it had decided to adopt the solar photovoltaic panels to resolve the problematic issue. The project’s cost was approximately £5.5 million, with significant financial support from national government and public agencies.
 
Initially the main target for the initiative was the building as a whole. Guidelines and restrictions were made to ensure the preservation of historical feature and value of the building built in 1962. The emblematic and symbolic significance of the building and the issue of climate change have both been seen as priorities for the participating organisations and stakeholders. The media frequently published the claim that the initiative was the largest solar tower in Europe. The project has received considerable and widespread praise and support for adopting the renewable energy system. But despite this, the environmental contribution generated from the solar technology has been uncertain.