Harrogate energy firm Think Renewable Energy has completed work on a major roof-mounted solar energy system for John Lewis’s new 130,000 sq ft department store in York.
The 96.5kW scheme will have the capability to generate 81,000 kWh of clean energy when the store opens its doors, saving over £17,000 a year on the comparable cost of electricity from traditional sources, accompanied by the feed in tariff.
Jamie Warden, operations director of Harrogate-based Think Renewable Energy, said the scheme would also prevent more than 34 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, helping the store achieve its carbon reduction targets.
Jamie said: Energy costs are one of the biggest overheads for the retail sector and this is helping to drive forward clean energy initiatives, particularly in new build projects.
Renewable energy initiatives like the one Think Renewable Energy has been involved in with John Lewis at Monks Cross can also help high profile organisations meet their carbon objectives.
Think has been working alongside Caddick Developments and architects DLA Design on the York installation which is the latest of a string of major solar projects in the region over the past 12 months. These included a 190kW ground-mounted solar scheme for Fridlington Farms in North Yorkshire and a roof-mounted system for Beverley Racecourse.
Jamie added: Last year we installed a megawatt of solar in Yorkshire in a six month period,” said Mr Warden.
This latest project for John Lewis is one of a number of schemes that will put us on target to achieve another megawatt within the first three months of this year and crucially before the next tariff drop on 1 April 2014.
