Not every solar project starts with a roof full of panels. Sometimes it starts with a problem.
When Liberty Wines began planning its Basingstoke warehouse, solar PV formed part of the original vision for the building. However, concerns raised by the company’s insurer around the storage of large volumes of alcohol meant those plans were put on hold.
For many businesses, that might have been the end of the conversation. Instead, it became the beginning of a different one.
Delivering performance without compromise
Working alongside Liberty Wines, we developed a solution that addressed the safety requirements of the site while still delivering the commercial and environmental benefits the business was seeking.
The result was a 521kWp solar installation comprising 1,005 panels and four SolarEdge Synergy inverters.
Ten months after commissioning, the system has:
• Generated 376MWh of renewable electricity
• Supplied 63% of the warehouse’s electricity demand
• Reduced electricity costs by £86,480
The system also supports the company’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure, helping maximise the use of solar energy generated on site.
Looking beyond the constraint
For us, one of the most rewarding aspects of this project is not the technology itself, but the fact that a project initially considered unachievable became a successful reality.
Every site presents its own challenges, whether technical, operational or commercial. The real measure of success is not simply the size of the system or the savings achieved, but finding a solution that enables a project to move forward with confidence.
Today, a scheme that once appeared unviable is generating clean electricity, reducing costs and supporting Liberty Wines’ long-term sustainability goals.
Read more
This project was recently featured by SolarEdge, who explore the technology and performance data behind the installation in greater detail. You can also read our original case study, published shortly after completion, which looks at the project from the perspective of Liberty Wines’ wider sustainability and energy strategy.