Bretts Transport launches major solar panel installation at Cambridgeshire site

The company said the move demonstrates a “significant step” in its ongoing sustainability journey as the business continues to introduce measures to drive down its carbon emissions.

Representing an investment of in excess of £150,000, the installation is expected to generate 229,310 kWh of renewable energy each year, enough to cover 25% of the site’s current annual consumption of 685,849 kWh.

Estimated to be fully operational by the end of this month, the system is projected to save approximately £33,585 per year for Bretts, representing a 28% reduction in energy costs. 

It will also offer a 22% internal rate of return and a payback period of just over four-and-a-half years. 

Designed for efficiency, the installation will achieve 77% self-consumption, with 22% of the generated energy exported back to the grid and only 1% lost due to Distribution Network Operator restrictions. 

Each year, the system will also help the business avoid around 108 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. 

The installation also comes as the company accelerates its carbon reduction efforts, having recently converted its entire forklift fleet to 100% electric and invested in a new baler to improve the collection and recycling of cardboard and plastic waste within its warehousing facility. 

Bretts is also currently conducting a review of its fleet operations, and how best it utilises its vehicles across its 70-strong fleet. 

The company said that by stripping operations back to the basics, it is identifying areas where assets may be underused and exploring opportunities to operate more efficiently and sustainably, with findings set to be completed in the coming months. 

Simon Brett, Bretts Transport chief executive, commented: “For us, sustainability isn’t just a tick-box exercise, it’s central to how we operate and how we plan for the future.

 “Over the past few years, we’ve made a conscious effort to embed environmentally responsible practices across every part of our business, from our warehousing facilities to our fleet operations, and the installation of our new solar panels at our Guyhirn site is a significant step in that journey. 

“With the investment generating a quarter of our site’s energy requirements, this will not only translate into reducing our carbon emissions, but also in delivering real financial benefits through energy cost savings year on year. It’s a practical, long-term investment that makes both environmental and commercial sense.

Brett continued: “We’ve also been on a journey over the last few years which involves us stripping back our operations to the bare basics and making changes that actually make us better as a business. 

“Reducing our carbon footprint is of course a core element of that, but there’s little point in implementing these initiatives if it compromises on performance, so in conjunction with this we’ve also tried to look at ways to improve efficiency across the board. 

“That’s why, alongside projects like the solar installation, we are also reviewing how we utilise our fleet and drivers to ensure every aspect of the business is working as efficiently and sustainably as possible.”