Solar installer GB NRG has successfully completed solar PV installations at Crendon Timber Engineering sites in the UK.
All 15 British locations of the timber production company are equipped with solar panels, which together generate 2MW of solar energy.
One of the largest installations is at Crendon Timber’s site in East Harling, which is equipped with 250 400W panels, which together can generate 85,000 kWh of power annually. This leads to an estimated CO22 saving of 19.5 tons per year. Crendon’s site in St Ives, Cornwall, is even larger, with 1,398 400W PV panels installed for a total power of 573 kW and generating 485,000 kWh of power per year, generating CO2 emissions.2 reduction of 111.5 tons per year.
Crendon has already achieved significant cost savings on energy bills as each installation is completed; While the initial payback period for the solar installation was predicted to be between six and seven years, rising energy prices mean that the expected payback period is now closer to two to three years.
The company is now considering installing battery energy storage systems (BESS) at their sites, which would allow them to store solar energy generated on weekend days when the sites are not in use.
Ed Kirk, director of operations, innovations and sustainability at Crendon Timber said: “Our goal is to create an environment of excellence, not only for our products and services, but also for our employees, the people affected by our activities and for the environment. We will manage our activities so that, where practicable, their impact on the environment is minimized.
“We are committed to continuously improving our efforts at all levels and in all functions of the organization. We recognize that this can only be achieved by regularly assessing our performance against the objectives regulated by a dedicated management system. Solar PV is one aspect of this.”
Nathan Smith, business development director at GB NRG added: “This is a great project for both companies and sets a new standard for sustainability in the timber industry. It is extremely satisfying to see satisfied customers like Crendon Timber Engineering benefiting from the financial savings that PV can afford, while at the same time contributing to achieving substantial CO2 reductions. The financial benefit is better than ever.”
Crendon Timber is the latest in a growing number of companies using solar energy to decarbonize their operations. In June, motorhome dealer Erwin Hymer Center Travelworld installed 300 solar panels at its flagship dealership in Stafford, while kitchen and bathroom products manufacturer Bristan Group installed 1,666 PV panels at its headquarters in Tamworth, Staffordshire.
