Thursday 23 October 2014

M&S installing ‘UK’s largest’ rooftop solar system

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has started work on what it claims will be the largest roof-mounted solar panel system in the UK.

The installation on its East Midlands distribution centre in Castle Donington will include 24,272 solar panels and generate more than 5,000 MWh of electricity every year – enough to power nearly 1,200 homes.

The 6.1MW system, being installed by Amber Infrastructure, is expected to lower the supermarket's carbon footprint by 48,000 tonnes.

M&S has signed a 20-year agreement to buy all the electricity generated by the project.

Hugo Adams, Director of Property at M&S said: “This further enhances the sustainability credentials of our BREEAM Excellent Castle Donington site. Coupled with one of Europe’s largest solar thermal walls, the new solar PV system will make the building one of the most sustainable distribution centres in the world.”

The project is scheduled to be completed early next year.