News / Green Energy
Bristol’s flagship social history museum to go green
One of Bristol’s most recognisable cultural landmarks is set to go green, as solar panels are installed at M Shed as part of a citywide green energy scheme.
The museum, home to some 3,000 exhibits charting Bristol’s history in trade, industry, culture and activism, will soon generate its own renewable energy under a programme rolled out by Bristol City Leap.
Set in a restored 1950s dockside transit shed on the harbourside, its galleries combine historic artefacts, film, audio and personal testimonies to give an account of the city, including some of its difficult chapters such as its role in the transatlantic slave trade and Bristol Bus Boycott.
The installation places M Shed at the forefront of Bristol’s push to decarbonise public buildings, following a similar move at Spike Island, which installed solar panels in autumn 2025, with investment from Resonance and Social Investment Business (SIB).
M Shed is the resting place of the Edward Colston statue which was thrown into Bristol Harbour during the Black Lives Matter march in 2020 – photo: Milan Perera
While M Shed is the most high-profile site, the programme will also see solar panels fitted at Avonmouth Church of England School and Nursery, Kingsweston School, Whitehall Primary School and Stockwood Children’s Centre – delivering a combined capacity of around 143kWp.
Alexandra Coleman, senior vice president at Ameresco UK, said the project highlights how clean energy can be integrated into everyday community spaces.
“By equipping key buildings like M Shed with solar installations, we’re enabling cultural venues and public services to cut carbon emissions while securing long-term savings on energy costs,” she said.
The scheme is expected to save around 171 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime and is funded through the mayoral renewables fund from the West of England Combined Authority, alongside investment from Bristol City Council.
The new scheme will install solar panels at five key public and community building in Bristol – photo: Chris Bahn
The wider £1bn Bristol City Leap partnership, which consists of Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK, will run for 20 years and is central to the city’s net zero ambitions.
Martin Fodor, chair of the council’s environment and sustainability committee, said projects like this demonstrate how even historic and cultural institutions can play a role in tackling climate change.
“This funding allows places like M Shed to operate more sustainably, reducing emissions while protecting vital community assets for future generations,” he said.
Helen Godwin, mayor of the West of England, added: I’m delighted that we’re supporting more environmental projects in the West of England, using the Mayoral Renewables Fund to empower local communities with cleaner energy.
“Solar upgrades for schools, children’s centres, nurseries, and M Shed will not only help bring down their electricity bills but also reduce pollution.”
Work is due to begin in April, with completion expected by summer 2026.
Main photo: Milan Perera
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