A FAMILY-owned dealership has invested in more than 100 solar panels in a bid to reduce its electricity bills and its carbon footprint.
Nissan and Suzuki dealer Blackshaws, based in Alnwick, Northumberland, decided to take action after discovering it was spending more than £30,000 a year on electricity.
The company, which is more than 90 years old and recently won two AM awards, has had a 30kWh solar PV system installed at its site on Lionheart Enterprise Park.
The installation by Newcastle-based renewable energy company Eco Environments consisted of 122 Hyundai solar panels.
The total payback over 25 years is expected to be around £460k while the annual Co2 saving will be more than 12,000kg.
The firm also owns three electric Nissan cars, two of which are used by staff to car-share to work because of the tax breaks available, while the third vehicle is used to make customer collections.
David Blackshaw, managing director of Blackshaws, said: ‘The Eco Environments team did a fantastic job in the face of horrendous winds to get us installed.
‘A survey was done on our lighting consumption which revealed that we could make savings over three or four years of as much as 25 per cent.
‘We see it as a very good financial investment which will also significantly reduce our carbon footprint over the coming years. It is great to know we now make money even when we aren’t open for business and we are excited about the full potential of the panels when the sun comes out!’
David Hunt, a director with Eco Environments, said: ‘Blackshaws is an ideal customer because they understand the importance and significant benefits of developing a comprehensive environmental strategy with solar PV as one of the key elements.’