Friday 12 June marked a significant milestone for Bodenham Arboretum - the completion of their solar project – the installation of 292 solar roof panels and the generation of 162 kilo watts per hour / 135,000 kilo watts annually for its Visitor Centre and Farm.
Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier cut the ribbon of the ‘Control Room,’ cheered on by pupils from Cookley and Wolverley Sebright Primary Schools, fresh from a lesson in the conversion of sunlight to energy.
Third-generation family co-owner Sam Binnian, described how the successful organisation of the project was made possible by bringing specialist teams together to ensure a harmonious outcome with minimum disruption. Bodenham appointed Shrewsbury based ESP Energy to design and install the system, whilst National Grid were responsible for the connection to 3-phase electricity (a constant, higher-power supply).
He commented, “The adoption of a renewable energy source bolsters our energy efficiency and reduces our carbon footprint and reliance on the grid which depends on fossil fuels to generate energy.”
According to ESP Energy, Bodenham’s system will reduce Bodenham’s CO2 emissions by 34 tons per year. Over its lifetime – 25 years, it is also predicting that the energy saved will be the equivalent of just over 1,000,000 km of car travel or 718 long haul flights. Alternatively, it will have had the same benefit of having planted just under 6,500 trees – something which resonates extremely loudly with Bodenham Arboretum!
Visitors will soon be able to see a dedicated display in the Visitor Centre showing energy generation, consumption, and grid export in real time.
Additional information -
ESP Energy
Formed in 2010, ESP Sales & Service has evolved from domestic solar PV installations to also providing large commercial installations. Over the past 10 years they have added biomass boilers, combined heat and power units, battery storage and car charging points to their specialisms.
T: 01743 718003
E: info@espenergy.co.uk
ESP Energy, Hazel Hollow, Stapleton, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 7EJ