The Range is set to deploy solar panels over 4.2 million square feet of warehouse rooftops at its Ashford location, while in Swindon, the Borough Council has greenlit Orbital Retail Park’s proposal to mount 5,000 solar panels on its buildings.
The Range to Install Solar Panels on Ashford Warehouse
The home, garden, and leisure retailer The Range is set to make a major upgrade to its energy infrastructure in collaboration with InRange, a managed marketplace for enterprise renewable energy procurement, Solar Power Portal reported on Friday.
The retail giant has announced plans to install solar panels across 4.2 million square feet of warehouse roof space at its Ashford site, a move designed to significantly reduce electricity costs and advance the company’s commitment to sustainability.
The partnership with InRange will see The Range deploy approximately 40MW of solar panels on its warehouse rooftops. According to a company statement, this initiative is projected to slash electricity bills across the portfolio by at least 25%.
Using the InRange network will allow The Range to optimize its energy usage and sell surplus power to large energy buyers, maximizing the value of its warehouse space.
UK Warehouses Offer Vast Potential for Solar Energy
Alex Simpkin, CEO of The Range, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s journey toward becoming a net-zero business. He emphasized the partnership with InRange as pivotal in accelerating sustainability efforts and delivering immediate benefits to the business and the local communities it serves.
This project highlights how warehouses are emerging as key players in the UK’s decarbonization efforts. Research from construction analyst Barbour ABI underscores the vast potential of these buildings in supporting renewable energy goals.
With an estimated warehouse roof space of over 165 million square meters—equivalent to 30,834 football fields—there is a significant opportunity to harness solar energy. The AMA Research team at Barbour ABI suggests these rooftops could accommodate up to 25GWp of new solar capacity, which would contribute substantially to the nation’s renewable energy targets.
Orbital Retail Park in Swindon to Install 5,000 Solar Panels
In Swindon, the Borough Council has given the green light to a similar plan from Orbital Retail Park to install 5,000 solar panels on its buildings. The initiative is a significant step in the site’s transition to net-zero emissions.
According to a report from the BBC, the retail park submitted its request in February, highlighting the project’s substantial impact on sustainability goals. With the council’s approval, the installation is set to meet 56% of the retail park’s energy needs with renewable power.
Orbital Retail Park emphasized the importance of securing a local, renewable energy source, particularly amid the current spike in energy prices. The company also gave assurances that the installation would not be visually intrusive—a point endorsed by the local council, which noted the minimal effect on the building’s appearance in its report.
Commercial Solar Adoption Grows Across the UK
According to local reports, tenants at the shopping centre will purchase electricity generated by the panels, with any surplus sold to the National Grid. This model reflects the continued growth of the UK solar sector and its integration with national energy infrastructure, echoing other recent projects like the 50MW solar farm owned by Cero Generation and Enso Energy.
The approval for Orbital Retail Park’s installation comes as other large-scale projects advance, including the recently announced Great North Road Solar Park in Nottinghamshire. Set to become the UK’s largest, this 1GW solar project is a nationally significant infrastructure initiative. This trend aligns with data from Drax indicating a remarkable increase in solar panel installations across Britain, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to renewable energy.
This project is part of a broader sustainability push by Swindon Borough Council, which last month unveiled plans for a £2.31 million investment in 600 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across the town. Chris Watts, the council’s cabinet member for the environment and transport, emphasized that such initiatives are key to the council’s mission to achieve net-zero emissions.
The installation of rooftop solar panels by The Range and at Orbital Retail Park represents a significant step towards the UK’s sustainability goals. These initiatives showcase a growing commitment to renewable energy and underscore the vital role that businesses and local governments play in advancing environmental objectives.