Bright idea for 14,000 solar panels on factory roof
One of the biggest solar panel systems in the country is set to be installed – on the roof of a Shropshire warehouse.
Almost 14,000 panels will be fitted on the top of the 55,000 square metre headquarters of stationery company Lyreco.
It will be one of the five biggest rooftop power plants in the UK, providing more than 3.8MW of electricity.
The £28 million building was built in Donnington Wood, Telford, in 2001.
The company hopes the 13,800 solar panels will slash its annual energy costs by £50,000.
Nick Dacey, logistics director for Lyreco, said: "This is an exciting project for Lyreco.
"To be at the forefront of such cutting edge technology makes us very proud and reflects our approach to doing business and providing the very best products and services to our customers."
With feed-in tariffs continuing to provide value for energy generation, more businesses have been using their roof spaces for solar energy.
Salop Design and Engineering, Morris Lubricants and Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury have all placed solar panels on their rooftops.
The new system is expected to cut Lyreco's CO2 emissions by 1,700 tonnes per year following its completion in October. While the panels will power French-owned Lyreco's headquarters, they will be owned and operated by Addison Energy Limited through a 20-year agreement. It will be installed by EvoEnergy.
Malcolm King, investment manager for Guinness Asset Management which funds Addison, added: "We're pleased to be investing into one of the largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the UK."
James Clifford, national account manager for EvoEnergy, said: "We're looking forward to delivering one of the UK's largest rooftop solar installations, bringing together our expertise in electrical, mechanical and civil engineering."
