Lighting firms go big on solar – but is it the best use of cash?
A raft of UK lighting companies have made significant investments in photovoltaic panel installations in a bid to cut their energy bills and increase their environmental ratings.
Major brands going big on solar include Thorlux, Holophane, Zumtobel and DW Windsor.
But with typical seven-year paybacks, is it the right call? And does the specific characteristics of solar power suit the needs of the lighting industry anyway?
These are the questions that next month’s Net Zero Lighting Conference 2024 will set out to answer.
Speaker Angus Rose, director of Ineco Energy, has worked with many suppliers in the lighting sector and will pass on his insights from his experience.
He will aim to cover the main stages of a PV project using case study examples of lighting manufacturers and some of the challenges and opportunities they faced along the way.
Rose is a director and founder of Ineco energy with over a decade of experience providing energy solutions to public and private sector clients. Angus co-founded Ineco energy in 2016 to deliver energy efficiency and renewable energy projects with a mission to power a sustainable future. Ineco specialises in commercial and industrial rooftop solar projects taking projects from cradle to grave.
The one-day event – hosted by the LIA and Recolight – takes place on Thursday 2 May in London and will explore the practical steps that they can take to reduce the carbon emissions of all parts of their operations,
The one-day conference and exhibition will bring together a range of experts from both the lighting industry and other sectors to advise on best practice in the journey to ‘net zero’.
How can manufacturers tackle the responsibility of the carbon footprint they generate while making luminaires?
What measures can help them reduce their impact on the climate? What are the priorities, the ‘quick wins’ and real challenges?
How can we cut carbon, energy use and waste without compromising quality or customer service?
These are some of the questions that the organisers are promising to answer. Chaired by Circular Lighting Report editor Ray Molony, it will be opened by Ayça Donaghy, CEO, Lighting Industry Association. Speakers include Nigel Harvey, CEO of Recolight, Irene Mazzei, sustainability lead at Stoane Lighting, Andreas Adam, head of WEEE at Ledvance and Catherine Connolly, CEO of Knightsbridge.
Other topics include low carbon packaging, solar panel installations, logistics, sustainable metrics and accreditations and the use of recycled materials.
A panel discussion will explore the potential conflict between sustainable practice and commercial realities.
The venue is 15Hatfields, on the South Bank near Waterloo, one of London’s most sustainable venues.
• More info at https://www.thelia.org.uk/page/NetZeroConference
• Diary date: Circular Lighting Live 2024, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, takes place on Wednesday 9 October 2024 at the Royal College of Physicians in London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2024 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
