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Client
Plasser UK
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Sector
Manufacturing
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Technology
Solar panels and EV charge points
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System size
125.43kWp
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Payback period
7-years
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25-year savings
£460,000
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Estimated annual output
114,576kWh
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Estimated annual CO2 savings
31.74 tonnes
Client
Plasser & Theurer is the only manufacturer in the world that offers a complete range of machines for laying and maintaining railway tracks. From their rail connected workshop in London, Plasser UK also provides training, spare parts and services such as maintenance, repairs and overhauls for Network Rail and other partners.
As a forward thinking business, Plasser UK is determined to reduce their energy use and GHG carbon footprint. The company has set out a thorough sustainability policy in line with the internationally recognised science based targets (SBTi) in a move to Net Zero. Reducing their impact on the environment is an embedded part of their business strategy. This can be seen in their numerous environmental schemes such as on-site energy generation, carbon offsetting, rain water harvesting, recycling and waste management.
Following an internal carbon study, Plasser UK were able to highlight that most of the emissions in their own supply chain resulted from transportation and energy use and have worked constructively to make a number of improvements to reduce carbon emissions, which are monitored though their environmental management system.
Due to the nature of the manufacturing industry, the company has a high energy consumption rate, and therefore initially looked to commission the installation of a solar PV system to provide the site with a reliable source of clean energy. The business plans to extend their use of solar panels and battery storage in the future as well as other clean energy schemes to further improve their carbon footprint.
From the client
“This was a challenging project due to the busy nature of our manufacturing facility, however Solarsense were a one-stop shop and never missed a beat. Russell and his team were extremely reliable and excellent to work with. I trusted them to get the job done quickly and efficiently. We will be working on further clean energy projects soon and I won’t hesitate to use them again.”
Michael Gowen, HSQE & Facilities Manager – Plasser UK
Clean Energy System
Plasser UK puts environmental concerns at the forefront of their business efforts, and so an additional solar PV installation seemed like a natural extension for the company when exploring options to repair the roof of their workshop which was leaking and needed replacing.
With a compromised roof, significantly high energy costs, and the aim to reduce their carbon emissions, Plasser UK approached Solarsense to commission a new roof and design a solar PV system for their manufacturing site. Following a detailed technical review and site survey, the design engineers at Solarsense specified a Bauder flat roof system with an integrated solar PV array. The system was designed to maximise on-site energy generation whilst ensuring the waterproofing system beneath remained completely intact and without compromise.
The 125kWp solar PV system installed on the new roof is comprised of 339 solar panels and will generate 114,576kW hours of clean energy each year, as well as mitigating more than 31 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. The renewable energy generated by the solar panels will be used to power the facility as well as 18 new EV charge points installed by Solarsense.
As part of their wider sustainability policy, Plasser UK specified REC solar PV modules to ensure sustainable procurement within their supply chain. REC offers premium solar panels ideal for commercial rooftops and other industrial installations, combining high power output with renowned high quality.
Result
As well as mitigating more than 31 tonnes of carbon emissions per year and significantly improving the sustainability credentials of the company, the large-scale on roof solar panel system installed for Plasser UK is estimated to generate a net profit of more than £460,000 for the organisation over the next 25-years and payback installation costs in just over 7-years.
Services provided
- Bauder flat roof system (including roofing contractor to secure fixing points)
- Detailed technical design (solar PV system and EV charge points)
- Full supply, installation, commissioning and testing
- Full handover including MCS registration, G99 grid connection, operation and maintenance pack
Videos
