Sun shines on Dodds Solar

A YORKSHIRE solar energy business is on course to complete 4 Megawatt of solar systems in its first 12 months, generating enough electricity to power 1,200 homes.

Dodds Solar, part of the Dodds Roofing and Renewables Group, has already become one of the fastest growing solar specialists in the region and has attributed much of its first-year success to the rising demand for solar power from the agricultural industry.

Graham Dodds, managing director of the Driffield-based company, said: “When we launched the business last year we anticipated a positive response from the agricultural sector but we could not have predicted the level of demand we are currently handling.

“In the past six months, we have installed around 8,000 solar panels, which is far ahead of our expectations and we are currently undertaking one major agriculture project a week.

“By the very nature of farm buildings, they are ideal structures to take solar panel installations and with the added incentive of the Government’s Feed-In Tariff initiative, which results in a cash-back for the customer, farmers have been quick to realise the financial and environmental incentives. We are now receiving enquiries on a daily basis.

He added: “While solar photovoltaic technology is new to many people, Dodds have been in business for 16 years as a roofing specialist and is a well-known brand, especially in the Yorkshire region. Our solar division has also achieved all the industry accreditations, a very important factor in the customer’s decision-making process.

Dodds Solar has recently completed a 50kwt installation at Kilham near Driffield for Harrison Farms. 

Jeremy Harrison said: “It’s early days yet but we are confident this will produce all the power required at our main unit at West End and enable us to sell any surplus electricity back to the national grid.

“We are already considering similar installations for our other units in East Yorkshire and I would expect many more farmers will be doing the same. It really does make sound financial and environmental sense.”

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