M&S, Gridserve and Associated British Ports are among major investors in solar power, according to research revealed today from North West based company
Research launched today from Stockport-based Project Solar UK reveals the companies that have shown the biggest commitment to solar power at the start of 2021. The Houldsworth Mill based team created a leaderboard based on factors including capacity, proportion of total green energy commitment that solar makes up and reported impact.
Associated British Ports, whose major investment in solar power - including the installation of the UK’s largest rooftop system, with 21,000 panels, enough to power 1,570 homes for a year - gives them the edge over others in the leaderboard.
In second place, Marks and Spencer get credit for the huge solar system at their distribution centre in Castle Donington as well as their innovative share offer, which invited customers to invest in solar panels at eight of the firm’s retail stores across the UK.
Rounding out the top three is Amazon, whose fulfilment centre in Tilbury last year unveiled the largest solar rooftop installation of any European Amazon site, featuring more than 11,000 panels. The tech giant makes big investments in renewable energy all around the world, including huge drives into offshore wind, but is particularly keen on solar power.
The remainder of the top ten list is made up of tech and retail brands such as Facebook, Tesco and the John Lewis Partnership. Two names from outside those worlds, however, are the Cambridge University Press and the insurance company Aviva, both of who made remarkable strides into solar power and renewable energy compared to their competitors.
The leaderboard was created by Project Solar UK who took factors including capacity, reported impact and proportion of total green energy commitment that solar makes up, into account when creating the “UK Top Ten Companies Committed to Solar Power Leaderboard.”
Simon Peat, commissioner of the research and Managing Director of Project Solar UK, the UKs largest commercial solar panel provider, said,
“Despite a gloomy outlook on other fronts, this past year has offered bright news for solar power. In addition to production hitting record highs, renewable energy sending coal power stations offline, and customers being given actual free energy from green providers, corporate investment in commercial solar reached a new peak. Companies are embracing the benefits of solar power which delivers carbon-offsetting and energy-saving benefits. Increasingly, we are noting brands using their investments as a badge of honour, affirming their status as modern organisations committed to the future of the planet. Our leaderboard highlights the move to green energy and the organisations that are recognising the benefits of solar and investing for the future.”
Simon Bird, Regional Director at ABP Humber, said:
“ABP has strongly committed to lowering its emissions by investing in renewable energy and electrified equipment for port operations. It is welcome news that Project Solar UK’s research has ranked ABP at the top of its leaderboard. The Hull Solar Array is a remarkable scheme not just for its size, but also the necessary engineering innovation undertaken by ABP’s team, and the contractors for the project, Custom Solar. Across the UK ABP is accelerating green energy generation and storage for port operations and new manufacturing sites within its ports. With solar installations now at the Ports of Immingham, Hull and Goole, our next focus here on the Humber will be the Port of Grimsby.”
Carmel McQuaid, Head of Sustainable Business at M&S, commented:
“At M&S, we’ve been taking action to address climate change for more than 14 years. Our emissions have reduced by over 70% in that time as we’ve worked hard to make our stores and operations more energy efficient. After switching to 100% renewable electricity to power our UK stores in 2012, we installed the UK’s biggest solar panel array on the roof of our 900,000 sq ft Castle Donington distribution centre in 2015 – creating enough energy to power 1,190 homes each year. We’re delighted to be recognised for our existing achievements as we plan to go even faster and further to reach our latest goal of becoming net zero in our own operations by 2035.”
Toddington Harper, Founder and CEO of GRIDSERVE, said:
“GRIDSERVE’s purpose is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change. We are delighted to be recognised amongst the top ten companies committed to solar power, but the hard work has only just begun. It’s our collective responsibility to prevent greenhouse gas emissions rising further, and by delivering a series of hybrid solar farms in tandem with our network of Electric Forecourts® and other EV charging solutions, we are doing everything we can do deliver a net zero energy and transport system well ahead of the UK’s 2050 target.”
The January 2021 “UK Top Ten Companies Committed to Solar Power Leaderboard” is the first in a series of quarterly updates providing a barometer of commitment to commercial solar power usage.