Massive solar expansion at Thorlux HQ
Work has finished on a huge extension of the roof-mounted solar photovoltaic system at Thorlux Lighting’s headquarters in Redditch, Worcestershire.
The original solar installation came on-line in 2019 and supplied around 225,000 kWh of electricity annually.
The expanded solar grid on the roof of its factory will now deliver 1 million kWh per annum, from a total of 3,138 panels. On days where demand is lower, any excess energy created is fed into the national grid.
Thorlux Lighting says it is committed to sustainable manufacturing and reducing its overall environmental impact.
The company has held carbon neutral status since 2012, with systems of measurement, reduction, and certified offsetting using its own independently certified tree planting scheme.
The new investment, coupled with other green electricity supplies, means that the Thorlux factory and offices run on 100 per cent renewable electric sources.
FW Thorpe group chairman Michael Allcock, told the Circular Lighting Report: ‘When we started our solar PV programme, many years ago, I was lukewarm towards it. After completing the first installation, however, I quickly realised that the colleagues who cajoled me to approve it had great foresight.
‘The completion of the Thorlux headquarters installation is truly outstanding, with over 3,000 high-power, latest-generation panels.
‘It has taken a lot of effort to make our roof ready and to complete the extensive mechanical and electrical installation. I am very proud of the result, and when I study my mobile app – which on a sunny day shows we are generating more electricity than we are using – I find it motivational and inspiring.
‘But we can do even more to speed up our journey to Net Zero.
‘Congratulations to Team Thorlux for engineering such a wonderful project, which will generate truly green electricity for the next 25 years.’
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