A Wimborne electronics store is turning to solar energy to power its hundreds of household appliances, televisions, and home theatre systems. To combat rising electricity bills, the store has installed a 99-panel, 41kW solar system.
Solar Energy Cuts Electricity Costs
Dacombes of Wimborne—a family-owned business established in the 1920s—has partnered with Low Carbon Dorset, an initiative by the Dorset Council that offers grants to promote green practices among businesses.
Matt Renaut, managing director of Dacombes, noted the store’s significant electricity consumption from air conditioning, lighting, TVs, and displays, likening it to three kettles boiling continuously.
“With air conditioning, lighting, TVs, and displays, our electricity drain equated to having three kettles boiling all day long,” said Matt Renaut. “I used to have to sit down before looking at our monthly electricity statement. The rise over the past few years is concerning!”
Concerned about these costs, Matt turned to the Low Carbon Dorset grant program for a solution. The process took five months from application to project completion—a move to get ahead of future energy price increases, according to Dorset Biz News.
Dacombes Implements Eco-friendly Measures
“The team at Dacombes has benefited greatly from close collaboration with our Low Carbon Dorset programme, which has helped them reduce their environmental impact and increase their energy efficiency,” stated Steven Ford, Corporate Director for Strategy, Performance, and Sustainability at Dorset Council.
“Thanks to free technical advice and a grant from the programme, Dacombes has installed green measures expected to significantly reduce their carbon footprint, lower their energy bills, and support future green initiatives,” he added.
Complex 99-Panel System Installed
Ringwood-based Empower Energy designed and installed the 41kW, 99-panel solar system, which the company will also maintain.
Mark Wingrove, Business Development Manager at Empower Energy, described it as a “complex project spanning five roof elevations.”
Despite the complexity, the system is already proving its worth. “Even in the bad weather we’re having right now, we’re still producing enough energy during the day to power our store during its operating hours,” said Matt Renaut.
Wingrove emphasized the financial strain on businesses operating without price cap protections. “Commercial organisations—in contrast to residential energy consumers—are not protected by a price cap, making it a major financial burden to handle skyrocketing energy bills without knowing what the industry will do,” he commented.
Dacombes Achieves Energy Independence
With new solar panels, two EV van chargers, a Tesla battery, and other energy-efficient upgrades like heat pumps and modern lighting, Dacombes has achieved grid independence and cost control while minimizing its ecological footprint.
Looking ahead, Matt Renaut plans to transition to electric delivery vehicles. “To further minimise our carbon impact, we want to transition to electric delivery vans in Phase 2 of our green energy strategy. I’m proud that we’re moving towards operating as an environmentally sustainable company,” he concluded.
By embracing solar power, Dacombes of Wimborne is reducing its carbon footprint, gaining energy independence, and setting a commendable example of environmental responsibility.