ASVA E-ZINE

Welcome to the April 2024 edition of the ASVA E-Zine

asva.co.uk [email protected] 07458 306982

Aberdeen Science Centre is Walking on Sunshine After Receiving More Than £37,000 in Funding for Rooftop Solar Panels

March 2024

Aberdeen Science Centre has been awarded more than £37,000 in funding to install rooftop solar panels, which will see the centre benefit from improved energy efficiency and a reduction in its energy bills.

A total of 48 solar panels, which have been donated to Aberdeen Science Centre, are set to be fitted to the centre’s roof shortly. The donation was facilitated by global renewable energy producer Sonnedix.

Responsible finance provider Social Investment Scotland (SIS) awarded the centre just over £27,000 in grant and loan funding to support the installation of the panels, while Sonnedix donated a further £10,000.

G & A Barnie Group, a Scottish engineering firm, has also agreed to install the panels at a reduced rate.

The solar panels are expected to generate close to 20,000 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity per year, contributing to a significant reduction in Aberdeen Science Centre’s carbon emissions and a notable saving in its energy costs.

Bryan Snelling, chief executive officer at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “At Aberdeen Science Centre, we pride ourselves on helping our visitors to discover more about the science behind renewable energy, and thanks to the generous support of Social Investment Scotland, Sonnedix and G & A Barnie Group, we can now truly make use of that science to power our centre.

“With close to 50 solar panels set to be installed on our centre’s roof, we are proud to be making our operations greener and doing our bit to reduce Aberdeen’s carbon footprint. The money saved on our bills can also be reinvested into our centre and into further developing our public offering of exhibits, workshops, and community projects.”

On the support from Sonnedix towards the project, Dijana Vlaisavljevic, head of ESG at Sonnedix, said: “Decarbonising communities and making a meaningful social impact is at the heart of what we do, and supporting the Aberdeen Science Centre is testament to this commitment. Increasing educational initiatives related to renewable energy and climate change has been a longtime priority for us, and we are excited about extending these efforts to Scotland and contributing to its net zero journey.”

SIS offers a number of funding options to help diversify Scotland’s economy away from carbon-intensive industries, ensuring the creation of good, green jobs and ensuring all communities directly benefit and contribute to a sustainable and just transition to net zero.

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS, said: “Supporting the third sector to reach net zero will ultimately help towards Scotland’s overall ambition for a green, fair energy transition by 2045. Access to financial support is essential for social enterprises to invest in improvements and new infrastructure, such as solar energy, and we look forward to hearing about the difference it makes for Aberdeen Science Centre.”

Based on Constitution Street near Aberdeen beach, ASC is home to almost 65 interactive exhibits, allowing people of all ages to discover topics including Space, Energy, Life Sciences, Engineering, and much more.

Open seven days a week, Aberdeen Science Centre also offers exclusive venue hire as well as room hire for corporate, social and private events.

To book a visit to the centre, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/

Photograph: Aberdeen Science Centre exterior

« back

Member News

Stirling Old Town Jail Awarded Coveted Five-Star Grading by VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme
Stirling Old Town Jail has proudly achieved a prestigious five-star grading from the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme.
Read more »

Edinburgh Zoo Named Best Zoo in Scotland
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has been named the best zoo to visit in Scotland by TripAdvisor, the world’s biggest travel guidance platform.
Read more »

Summerlee Celebrates Four Millionth Visitor
Summerlee Museum of Industrial life welcomed its four millionth visitor since opening its doors in 1988.
Read more »

Research Reveals Da Vinci Code Impact at Rosslyn Chapel - 21 Years After Publication
Visitors to Rosslyn Chapel are still strongly influenced by its role in The Da Vinci Code according to new research undertaken to mark the 21st anniversary of the book, which was first published on 18th March 2003.
Read more »

Internationally Acclaimed Artists Join Kelpies Tenth Anniversary Celebrations
The creator and sculptor of the iconic Kelpies at The Helix, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions, Andy Scott, has returned to Scotland from his home in Los Angeles, California, in advance of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the world- renowned equine structures, as the latest star to perform at Kelpies 10 on 27 April 2024, is announced.
Read more »

The Search is on for Scotland’s Nature Tourism Champions
Whether you are a pioneering business or a collaborative partnership, this is your moment to be celebrated. With headline sponsor NatureScot, RSPB are recognising the people and initiatives protecting Scotland’s nature – open to all.
Read more »

Major Exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk to Open at V&A Dundee
The fascinating story of the style, appeal and influence of the kimono is explored in a major exhibition opening at V&A Dundee on Saturday 4 May.
Read more »

The National Trust for Scotland Launches Global Access to its Robert Burns Collection
Over 2,500 historic items from the National Trust for Scotland’s internationally important collections from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway are now available to explore from anywhere in the world.
Read more »

Verdant Works Undergoes Brand Refresh with Thanks to UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Scotland’s only jute museum, founded in a refurbished 1833 mill in the heart of Dundee - the city once coined ‘juteopolis’ - has undergone a brand refresh, with thanks to funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Read more »

Introducing ‘LemurLounge’: A New Chapter in Enrichment at Blair Drummond Safari Park
Blair Drummond Safari Park are proud to announce their latest collaboration with researchers from the University of Glasgow to introduce groundbreaking enrichment for zoo lemurs.
Read more »

Learn About 17th Century Medicine at The Real Mary King’s Close
The Real Mary King’s Close launched its brand-new Medical History Tours, a unique guided experience which takes guests on a journey through the fascinating development of medicine through time.
Read more »

Aberdeen Science Centre Promotes Inclusivity with New Sensory Space
Aberdeen Science Centre has introduced a new Sensory Space to support visitors that could feel overwhelmed or overstimulated whilst at the centre.
Read more »

Get Your Quack On! Dalkeith Country Park to Host Doddie Duck Race in Support of My Name'5 Doddie Foundation
Grab your rubber duckies and mark your calendars because Dalkeith Country Park is gearing up for a quack-tastic charity event - the Doddie Duck Race!
Read more »