Solmatix has completed the large-scale solar and storage scheme at the south Belfast facility, marking Belfast City Council's first major solar installation and furthering efforts to make public buildings more energy efficient and sustainable.

The array comprises 69 high-efficiency 435W panels, paired with a hybrid inverter and integrated battery storage. Designed, installed and commissioned by Solmatix, the system is intended to maximise on-site generation and enable the centre to use more of its own power when needed.

Enhanced monitoring technology allows performance to be tracked down to individual panel level, helping the centre quickly identify any maintenance or performance issues.

The initiative supports the direction set by Belfast’s Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap and Local Area Energy Plan, which prioritise the decarbonisation of buildings alongside the development of a resilient, affordable, low‑carbon energy system for the city.

Since going live earlier this year, Belfast City Council reports the community hub has been effectively 'off-grid' for over 80% of the time during the first three months. The installation is expected to cut emissions by an estimated 13 tonnes of CO2e each year. The centre will also serve as a pilot to assess the wider rollout of rooftop solar across the council estate. Delivering the project within an active community venue required careful coordination between Solmatix, the centre's management team and other partners. The organisation handled the full scope of works, including technical design, equipment supply, rooftop installation, electrical works, battery integration, monitoring, testing and commissioning.

Neville Bell, Managing Director of Solmatix, said: "This project demonstrates how renewable energy investment can deliver practical, long-term benefits for important community facilities.

"The solar PV system will allow Donegall Pass Community Centre to generate a meaningful proportion of its electricity on site, while the battery storage helps the centre make better use of that renewable energy throughout its operating day.

"Our team worked closely with everyone involved to design and deliver a solution suited to the building and the way the centre operates. The installation combines solar generation, battery storage and detailed performance monitoring in one integrated system.

"Projects such as this show the important role public and community buildings can play in the transition to cleaner energy. We are proud to have delivered this investment at a centre which provides such valuable services to its local community."

The rooftop layout has been optimised for the available south-facing area, arranging the 69 panels to maximise output while meeting the building’s technical and safety requirements.

A generation display provides users and visitors with a visible record of renewable electricity produced. Additional controls will help the centre prioritise productive use of available solar energy, while the monitoring platform offers greater oversight of performance.