In February 2007 Bootstrap installed 187square  meters of  roof tiles that generate electricity.

The solar photo voltaic (PV) panels are the biggest solar installation of its kind in London, and will meet 70% of the electricity needs of the Print House

The panels were supplied by Solar Century and the development was part funded by the Energy Savings Trust and the European Regional Development Fund.

As a listed building, one of the prime considerations in selecting a renewable power source to reduce running costs was the aesthetics. Solar photovoltaic roof tiles presented the solution, as they are virtually un-discernable from the ground.

The solar installation is made up of 184 square metres of award winning photovoltaic roof tiles. These generate 21,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year whilst saving over 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

This makes The Print House a highly efficient roof, and one of the most productive PV roofs (per sqm) in the UK. At the weekends when the electricity use is lower we export power to the national grid.

Jeremy Leggett, Solarcentury CEO said: "The work of the Bootstrap Company is vital in London's tough business environment. Maintaining workspaces that are cost efficient and sustainable is the answer to creating and maintaining local employment in regenerating urban areas."

Talking about the installation, Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks said: "We want to make solar panels as commonplace as we can on our homes, our schools and our workplaces. They save our money while doing their bit to save our planet. Charitable projects such as this are exactly the kind of scheme that the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was designed to encourage."

Adding to this, Bootstrap Company chair Mary Doyle said: "This project is the result of a strong and successful partnership between three organisations wanting to develop environmentally and economically-sustainable workspaces for businesses in London's competitive and expensive business environment. The solar installation itself is a wonderful and innovative demonstration of the vital role renewable energy plays in all of our low carbon futures."