A leading national floorcoverings distributor is reducing carbon emissions by 150 tonnes per year thanks to a solar panel system designed and installed by Aztec Solar Energy.
A total of 1,727 photovoltaic (PV) modules, seven inverters and 870 optimisers feature on the roof of the company’s headquarters. The system is expected to generate more than 776 megawatt hours (MWh) annually, reducing carbon emissions which equate to planting 6,899 trees.
Designed with glass-on-glass modules, the solar array increases heat dissipation to maximise efficiency and the power transmitted. The use of double glass also offers enhanced protection from fire, humidity and ammonia emissions. The inverters incorporate built-in smart safety features and were integrated into the main fire alarm system with a manual stop button also installed.
The size of the project demanded a 280-tonne crane to manoeuvre the PV modules onto the roof. Ensuring no impact on the distributor’s operation, the Aztec Solar Energy team carried out the crane lifts during two weekends, beginning work at 4am each day.
Nick Jones, contracts manager at Aztec Solar Energy, said: “This project was carefully phased to minimise any potential disruption for this busy site, which is home to a large warehouse as well as support functions such as the sales and finance team.
“One of the biggest installation challenges was the weather. We had to monitor, and work around, strong winds which were prevalent throughout the two-month process. Despite this issue, the system was installed without delay and within the client’s required timeframe.”
Adam Clarke from facilities management company, Statutory Support Services (UK) Limited, who project managed the installation on behalf of their client, commented: “The system designed and installed by Aztec Solar Energy is playing a vital role in reducing the carbon footprint of a large UK business. In addition to significantly lowering carbon emissions at the headquarters, the solar array’s design is expected to reduce the company’s onsite energy costs by circa 23 per cent.”
The project forms part of the distributor’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy and follows the design and installation of PV systems across a further 12 sites. In 2023, this saw the Aztec Solar team provide a total of 4,775 panels across 12 sites for the company, which are reducing the carbon footprint of operations spanning from Belfast and Glasgow down to Plymouth.