Bentley factory to run on solar power
BENTLEY Motors is pushing ahead with plans to run its factory near Crewe on solar power.
The UK’s largest roof-mounted solar panel system is now being installed and will generate up to 40% of its energy requirements and cut 2,500 tonnes of carbon a year.
The luxury carmaker, which is owned by Volkswagen, won permission for the scheme in 2011.
It was first conceived when the government was offering generous incentives, known as feed-in tariffs, to subsidise the move to alternative energy but this had been cut from about 30p per kilowatt hour to 7p.
An outside company, London-based Lightsource Renewable Energy, is now handling the project and will sell energy back to Bentley. Lightsource is installing 20,000 solar panels which it expects to generate five megawatts of power, three times as much as the existing largest roof system and enough to power 1,200 homes.
Michael Straughan, Bentley board member for manufacturing said: “Unlikely as it may seem our 1940s plant in Crewe is ideally situated to generate solar power as the ‘saw tooth’ factory roofs are south facing at an angle of 20 degrees.
“We take the sustainability of our products and factory extremely seriously and we are always looking for ways to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. The panels will reduce our energy costs and help ensure that our manufacturing operations in Crewe are efficient, sustainable and globally competitive.”
Nick Boyle, chief executive of Lightsource, said: “The installation on Bentley’s factory demonstrates the tremendous potential for solar energy in the UK and is a fantastic example of how businesses can gain greater pricing certainty for the future whilst reducing their carbon footprint. It is also remarkable what can be achieved in a short space of time and with no adverse impact on existing business activity.”
