Businesses ‘should get into top gear on energy saving’
Business parks in the Midlands should get into top gear and take advantage of solar technology, says energy expert Ron Fox.
He says they should follow the example of Dunsfold Park in Surrey which has just announced that it is the nation’s first industrial area to be fed entirely on green energy.
The aerodrome is famous as the home of BBC’s Top Gear test track and studios.
Next time as Jeremy Clarkson or Richard Hammond puts a new car through its paces viewers might make out the 8,500 solar panels on the ground flanking the track.
The two megawatt installation will provide the 500,000 sq ft business park at Dunsfold Aerodrome with enough electricity during working hours to power the entire business park, the equivalent to supplying power to approximately 670 households. Any excess energy will be fed back into the National Grid.
Under the agreement the aerodrome leases Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd the land for the solar panel installations.
Dunsfold receives unlimited use of the electricity generated while Lightsource recoups its investment through the Feed-in Tariff, the money the Government pays companies and householders for generating electricity. It is index linked and guaranteed for 20 years.
“The entire Dunsfold Park commercial estate is now being powered by the electricity produced by our solar plant during working hours,” said Lightsource Chief Executive Nick Boyle. “They will get significant energy bill savings by having just this one source.”
Jim McAllister, Chief Executive of Dunsfold Park, said: “It’s fantastic that the vast majority of our energy is now provided from a renewable source. Our focus on green technologies that help to reduce the aerodrome’s carbon footprint is coming to fruition.”
Ron Fox agreed saying that in the present tough economic climate one simple way for firms to cut costs is to use the free green energy from the sun and he urged Midlands businesses and industrial parks to look at this option.
“Electricity prices have gone up substantially over the past few years,” he added. “Solar power gives people the opportunity to take control of their electricity bills and helps us as a nation to move away from damaging fossil fuel dependence.”
Dunsfold Aerodrome was built during the Second World War by the Canadian Army as an emergency landing airfield and was used after 1945 to repatriate 47,000 prisoners of war and to help in the Berlin Airlift.
In more modern times it was a backdrop for Hollywood blockbuster films including Casino Royale and The Da Vinci Code.
For more details about energy-saving call Ron on 01782 756995.
