UPG solar investment powers 100% of site electricity demand in first full month
UPG UK & Ireland’s latest investment in renewable energy has delivered an immediate impact, with its new solar PV system generating enough electricity to meet 100 percent of the site’s electricity demand during its first full month of operation.
The company has invested more than £50,000 in a new 67.86 kWp solar PV system as part of its continued commitment to sustainable growth and investment in the business.
Installed in partnership with renewable energy specialist Kennedy Renewables, the system became fully operational ahead of August. During its first full month in situ, all electricity consumed at the UPG site was generated by its solar panels, with no electricity drawn from the grid.
The early performance provides a strong start for a project originally forecast to generate approximately 64,690 kWh of electricity annually, with 81 percent of the electricity generated expected to be consumed directly on site. The system was also projected to provide approximately 42 percent electricity self-sufficiency across the year and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 12,510 kg of CO₂ annually.
The £50,895 project represents another significant investment in UPG UK & Ireland’s infrastructure and forms part of the company’s wider strategy to support its long-term growth while creating a more efficient and sustainable operation.
Martin Butterworth, Managing Director at UPG UK & Ireland, said: “We knew this investment made sense from both an environmental and commercial perspective, but to see 100 percent of the electricity we used during the system’s first full month generated by our own solar panels is a fantastic start.
“As UPG continues to grow, we want to make sure the infrastructure behind the business develops with us. Generating our own renewable electricity allows us to reduce our reliance on the grid, lower our environmental impact and create a more efficient operation for the future.
“What I particularly like about this project is that sustainability and good business go hand in hand. We’re investing in something that can deliver meaningful environmental benefits while also helping us control our long-term operating costs.
“This is another step forward in the growth of UPG and part of our commitment to continually investing in the business, our people and the service we provide to customers.”
As well as reducing the company’s environmental impact, the installation is expected to deliver significant commercial benefits. Based on the original project proposal, the system was forecast to generate net savings of approximately £12,485 in its first year, with a projected payback period of two years and 10 months.
Kennedy Renewables has more than 15 years’ experience delivering industrial-scale renewable energy projects across the UK and is part of the Latium Group. Its previous projects include Fife’s first wind farm, which Kennedy says powers more than 14,500 homes.
The solar installation is the latest step in UPG UK & Ireland’s ongoing development, supporting the company as it continues to invest in its operations and build a stronger, more sustainable business for the future.
For more information, visit www.upgglobal.co.uk.