Solar boost for car body repair shop
Cornwall-based car body repair shop, Fix Auto Penzance, is doubling its solar power capacity with help from Truro-based asset finance provider, Ignition.
Its first solar panels were installed 12 years ago, providing an initial 30kW of power, but since then the business has grown and its energy use has increased, now a new bank of 30kW panels has been installed on the paint shop roof, helping the company to keep energy costs down.
The company uses environmental paints and re-used parts, along with large-scale materials recycling across the Fix Auto UK network.
Ignition provides support to SMEs by financing a wide range of assets from vehicles and machinery to business equipment and renewable energy.
It was able to assist Fix Auto Penzance with the purchase and installation of an additional 30kW solar energy system by Sun Energy, bringing the company’s total capacity to 60kW.
The terms of the hire purchase agreement mean that costs are spread into manageable monthly repayments.
Managing director of Fix Auto Penzance, Stuart Cameron, said: “In the 12 years since we first purchased solar panels, our workshop space has doubled in size and we have installed additional features such as a high-tech, robotic three-bay drying booth, a wheel refurbishment operation, and an electric vehicle charging bay – all increasing in our energy use.
“Our previous solar investment was a sound financial decision, particularly since we continue to benefit from a ‘feed-in tariff’ where we receive annual payments for energy sold back to the grid. Expanding our solar power capacity at this stage makes absolute sense, both from a financial point of view and to further strengthen our environmentally friendly credentials.”
Eleanor Smith, Ignition’s business development manager and solar specialist, said: “Stuart and his team at Fix Auto Penzance have put environmental conservation at the heart of their business for many years, winning several awards for their efforts and forging an excellent reputation amongst their customers. We were delighted to assist with the expansion of their solar power provision, which aligns with their company ethos and will provide long-term cost savings.”
