Kingspan Energy Announces Largest UK Rooftop Array
Kingspan Energy has completed the installation of the UK's largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system at Jaguar Land Rover's new Engine Manufacturing Centre based at i54 South Staffordshire, Wolverhampton, West Midlands.
The 5.8MWp system installed on the roof of the Jaguar Land Rover facility is spread across 35,000m2 of roof space and is expected to generate 30% of the plant's yearly energy requirements. This output, enough to power more than 1,600 homes, will be used on site to reduce the building's primary energy consumption from the grid. The system is also expected to save over 2,400 tonnes of CO2 every year, the equivalent of burning 1,225 tonnes of natural gas. The system includes more than 21,000 275Wp polycrystalline PV modules linked together by over 100 miles of electric cable.
Kingspan Energy was chosen to lead the project from start to finish. Kingspan Energy is a solar energy solution provider working on some of the most prestigious large-scale solar PV projects in the UK. Under the guidance of Kingspan Energy's experienced project management team, the entire system was designed and installed in just 11 weeks, to the highest specifications and under strict site conditions during the winter period: exceeding the ambitious three month schedule set by Jaguar Land Rover.
The project comes on stream just as the UK government has reaffirmed its vision for large-scale solar generation in the UK. Last month, Energy Minister Greg Barker identified the opportunity for the UK's rooftops to become power stations, speaking publicly of the boosts to the economy, the environment and British businesses projects like these can offer.
"This landmark project sets the tone for UK businesses to make the most of the assets they have with PV generation" explained Peter Turley, Business Unit Manager for Kingspan Energy. "Large-scale rooftop PV installations are a fantastic commercial investment when companies can find the upfront capital cost to benefit from them. We're working closely with our partners and customers to help facilitate more solar PV installations than ever before, helping businesses up and down the country to benefit from the reduced costs and increased energy security these projects bring."