SCIENCE

Two Bourne-based companies, Lark Energy, part of the Larkfleet Group and HPC Healthline UK have collaborated on one of the East Midland’s largest rooftop PV installations.

Lark Energy has installed a total of 810 photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of HPC Healthline’s national distribution centre in Bourne. The project is approximately 90 times larger than the average domestic rooftop installation but won’t cost the building owners a penny.

HPC Healthline, ‘a major supplier to the NHS’ is now cutting its energy bills and reducing its impact on the environment by generating electricity from sunlight.
The 186.3 kWp PV system was funded by Low Carbon Investors and the Downing Low Carbon Enterprise Investment Scheme Fund.

In return for making its roof available for the PV installation, HPC Healthline will receive an index-linked roof rental for the next 25 years and will also be able to use all of the energy generated by the PV at a guaranteed discount to its standard energy costs.

In a full year of operation the panels will produce 153 MWh of electricity per year, all of which will be used by HPC, enabling the company to save a substantial amount from its electricity bills and significantly reduce its carbon emissions.

Lark Energy managed the project and oversaw the installation which took less than three weeks to complete.

The PV panels were manufactured by Hyundai, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of photovoltaic panels, and were supplied by Larkfleet Group company Eco Building Products.

Jonathan Selwyn, managing director of Lark Energy, commented: “Lark Energy is delighted to have worked on this project. Despite the size of the installation, and the very tight timetable, we delivered the project to time and budget. By working with Low Carbon Investors and Downing, we have been able to provide the installation at no capital cost to HPC Healthline Logistics enabling them to save money on their energy bills and receive an index-linked roof rental. This is a ‘win-win’ for both company and investor.”

Jason Prichard, managing director HPC Healthline, added: “HPC Healthline continuously strives to find new ways to reduce its carbon footprint whilst trying to drive down costs to compete in this increasingly competitive market. The introduction of PV Panels fitted to our roof helps us achieve both of these aims.”

Lark Energy focuses on providing large scale PV for commercial applications. It also provides site-wide renewable energy solutions for new housing and commercial developments for the Larkfleet Group and for its partners and clients.