Lincolnshire Co-op is to install solar panels at 62 od its sites sites are to have solar panels installed, following the society’s £2 million investment.
The retailer previously operated 11 sites with solar panels, generating 225,000 kilowatt hours (KWH) a year. The new sites are anticipated to produce an additional 1.8 million kilowatt hours (KWH) a year.
Lincolnshire Co-op have been working with energy saving experts SOL PV Group to get the first eight sites up and running in food stores in Scawby, Morton Bourne, Barrowby in Grantham, Barnetby le Wold, Springfield Road in Grantham, Clipstone, Keelby, and Skellingthorpe Road in Lincoln. The remaining 54 sites – mostly food stores – will be fitted by summer next year.
Brett Reynolds, Sales Director at Sol PV Group, said: “We were invited to install on a selection of Lincolnshire Co-op sites, including Barrowby Food Store.
“Since the install of 54 individual solar panels at Barrowby Food Store, 31% of the electricity consumed by the store is green energy generated by the solar PV array, proving Lincolnshire Co-op’s commitment to a more sustainable future.
“Following the successful rollout of the 8 trial sites, Lincolnshire Co-op have awarded Sol PV Group the contract to rollout solar PV installations across an additional 54 stores, with a total of 2MW installed across Lincolnshire Coop’s renewable energy estate.”
Use of LED lighting and the introduction of management systems that regulate heating and lighting have further contributed to efficiency within Lincolnshire Co-op food stores.
Fridge doors have been installed in most Lincolnshire Co-op stores, meaning that the retailer’s fridges use 27% less electricity on average, and the co-operative is choosing some of the most environmentally friendly refrigerant gases on the market for new stores and store refits.
