Giant roof-mounted solar array for M&S

Rooftop systems installed at distribution centre and an industrial park

Roof-mounted solar PV systems are getting bigger. Marks & Spencer has completed the installation of what is said to be the UK's largest single roof-mounted solar panel array on its extensive East Midlands distribution centre in Castle Donington. The 6.1 MWp solar PV array will span the site’s roof and generate over 5 GWh of electricity per year.

The energy generated by the 24,272 PV panel structure will provide nearly a quarter of the energy required for the fully automated distribution centre and lower M&S's carbon footprint 

The record-breaking PV array will help M&S maintain its commitment of sourcing 100% of its electricity for UK and Ireland buildings from renewable sources, with 50% sourced from small-scale renewable sources by 2020. Since the launch of its ‘Plan A’ in 2007, M&S says it has lowered its carbon emissions by 37% and is now carbon neutral across its worldwide operations.

M&S has agreed a power purchase agreement with Amber Infrastructure, which has funded, supplied and installed the solar panel array. The agreement runs for 20 years, with a commitment from M&S to purchase all the electricity generated by the solar panels.

Meanwhile, Dorset-based Renewable Energy Installers and regional partner for Sun Edison, H2 Eco, has installed its largest yet residential and small commercial solar PV system in the UK – a 348 kWp system, comprising 1,247 panels, over three buildings located in Romsey, Hampshire. The system has been installed on the roofs of Wynford Industrial Park; the operator of which, Wynford Properties, provide its tenants with free electricity while claiming the feed-in tariff payments itself.

The system installed has a south-west/north-east split in terms of roof orientation, demonstrating that roofs which do not face due south can generate good returns.