Solar Power Provides Cheaper Energy, Boosts Energy Self-Sufficiency & Tackles Climate Change For Cotswold Farm Park

News
12/08/2022

With the energy crisis hitting smaller businesses hard and set to continue possibly until 2026, according to some predictions, Cotswold Farm Park, the successful visitor attraction founded by BBC presenter Adam Henson’s late father, Joe Henson, has just expanded its solar power generation to help protect it from rising energy costs and to become more energy self-sufficient. The solar power generated on-site will provide 25% of the business’ energy needs, reduce its energy bills by nearly 20% and boost its energy security for the next half a century. It’s also playing a significant role in the Farm Park’s ambitions to become sustainable and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.


The business has recently installed a second solar PV system, taking the total size to 100kWp, in total generating approx. 92,000kWh a year. This clean electricity is generated at an approx. cost of 4-5pence/kilowatt hour, including maintenance costs, compared to the current price of National Grid electricity of 30-40p/kWh – a 600% difference. Cumulatively, the two roof mounted systems will reduce the Farm Park’s overall energy bills by 20% at current tariffs and will help the business negate the effects of future grid price rises.


A recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce1 revealed that 65% of firms expect their prices to rise in the coming months, with 56% of these stating rising fuel costs as one of the top three reasons.


Solar power enables the Farm Park to take direct control of some of its costs and help protect it from future price increases, especially important as Britain’s energy price cap which protects domestic households from soaring energy prices, doesn’t apply to businesses. Because the fuel - the sun - is free and the engineering inside the solar panels is straight-forward and cheap to maintain, the cost of generating electricity stays the same for the system’s life span of at least 25 years.


“This cost certainty and keeping our operating costs as low as possible are invaluable for our long-term planning and maintaining the business’ viability”
said Adam Henson, the Farm Park’s Managing Director.
“This is very important to us as we’re responsible for the livelihoods of 89 members of staff, and we care passionately about the Farm Park’s educational and conservation work.”


"Solar PV has proven over a number of years to be a very effective way of generating clean, low-cost electricity”
said Ben Harrison, MD of Mypower, the company installing the latest solar panels.
“Many businesses are seeing their systems pay for themselves in 3-5 years with a ROI of over 20%. More and more businesses are coming to us wanting to invest in solar power.”


The solar power will also contribute towards reducing the Farm Park’s impact on the environment.


“Our solar PV system reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released through our business activities by 20 tonnes /year – the equivalent of flying to Melbourne in Australia and back 10 and a half times.”
Commented Adam
“Practising responsible stewardship towards our planet is very important to us, and we’re actively assessing our operations to introduce eco-friendly practises wherever we can. We’d urge businesses to consider using solar power to help their business and the planet simultaneously. It’s a win-win all round.”


Mypower: www.mypoweruk.com