Cherwell use Coventry & Warwickshire grant to bolster green credentials

Image: Centreco Mid-Installation at Cherwell in Southam (32kW solar energy system)

• Centreco deliver an industry leading solar energy system for Cherwell
• 32kW capacity system installed at Southam Premises
• System comprised of 84 Tier One Solar Panels
• CO₂ emissions savings of over 171 Tonnes across the next 25 years
• Equivalent Electricity costs slashed to 4.2p per kW Hour for the long term
• Grant awarded by Coventry & Warwickshire Green Business Programme towards cost

Leading UK commercial solar energy installers, Centreco (UK) Limited, announce the completion of a 32kW Solar Panel System for Cherwell at their premises in Southam, Warwickshire. The solar energy system consisting of 84 roof mounted tier one panels will allow Cherwell to generate their own green electricity. The system is predicted to save over 171 Tonnes of CO₂ emissions over the next 25 years, allowing the leading supplier of hygiene, catering, and cleaning products to significantly reduce their carbon footprint. These CO₂ savings are equivalent to 431,481 miles driven by an average passenger car.

The move to self-generated solar energy ensures Cherwell’s focus on a green future for the company, meeting their client’s environmental demands and constituting the next major stage of their sustainability plans. As consumers place more importance on green credentials, it was vital for Cherwell that every aspect of their operations are as green and efficient as possible.

For Cherwell, the project was also financially focussed as they were keen to benefit from the exceptional cost saving opportunities that a solar energy system from Centreco delivers. To achieve this, Centreco designed, installed, and optimised a bespoke system for the client. Cherwell are now able to benefit from equivalent fixed electricity costs of just 4.2p per kWh for anything they consume which is produced from their solar installation, projected over the next 25 years.  This offers a substantial saving against grid supplied electricity rates currently available and protects against long-term inflationary pressures on energy prices.

Cherwell were able to secure a grant from Coventry City Council under their ‘Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme’ towards the cost of the system. Since the programme’s inception in 2016, it has awarded over £2.5m in grants to 250 SMEs (small to medium-sized enterprises) contributing to over 14,000 tonnes of CO₂ savings. The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is being delivered by Coventry City Council and its partners.

Cherwell’s Managing Director Jeremy Hodge said “We must acknowledge the green business programme and the grant we received from the Green Business Programme as without their knowledge and support with the grant, this is a project we would have struggled to proceed with. Centreco’s industry experience meant that they were very familiar with how the grant process worked and were able to support us throughout the application process.”

Cllr Jim O’Boyle Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change said, “I’m really pleased that our expert team was able to support Cherwell in their ambition to generate their own power and at the same time reduce their carbon emissions. Hopefully in the longer term this will also help them to stay competitive and secure jobs.”

Centreco’s Senior Project Manager Alan Cuthbert said, “Cherwell are typical of the clients we are speaking to daily in that they understand the significant environmental and commercial benefits the installation of a solar energy system brings as part of a wider sustainability programme. Whilst there are no UK wide grants currently available, it is great to see local authorities such as Coventry City Council supporting SMEs through localised grants as more companies look to save money on energy bills and maximise opportunities to reduce their carbon emissions.

As part of the grant application process, Cherwell had to seek alternative quotes from other installers, however it was great to see that after this process Centreco were able to offer the most competitive quote. At Centreco, we pride ourselves on being one of the UK’s leading commercial solar energy system installers and our ability to be most cost effective for our clients is critical to maintaining our market position.”

Reflecting on the overall installation, Jeremy Hodge further commented “We were extremely pleased with the service provided by Centreco, from initial system specification to final implementation. All was achieved within the promised timescale and budget, and we have already started to generate large savings. We would happily recommend Centreco too!”

Bernadette McCullagh, Business Advisor said “Cherwell have been an established local employer in Southam since the 1980’s and have chosen the two energy efficiency measures to implement; solar PV and LED lighting – which will have the biggest impact on their energy bills – these are really key for them to offset exponentially rising energy costs and to sustain their business for the future.

This will save them in the region of £12k a year in energy costs and nearly 11 tonnes of carbon. This project will also enable them to showcase their environmental credentials to customers, suppliers and stakeholders alike.  We are really pleased to have been able to help them along on their low carbon journey! We would like to remind businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire that the current ERDF funding will end soon. If you would like to apply for an energy audit and a green grant, please get in touch with the team as soon as possible by emailing [email protected]”

www.Centreco.co.uk | www.cherwell-online.co.uk | www.coventry.gov.uk