Overview
As part of their commitment to responsible growth and long-term sustainability, Thetford Garden Centre, a family-run business and proud local B Corp, has invested in a fully monitored solar PV system and EV charging infrastructure at their site.
From the very first week, the system delivered measurable results:
33% of total site energy offset by solar power
94% of solar generation is used directly on-site
And all of this during the winter months when generation is typically at its lowest.
For Thetford Garden Centre, this investment wasn’t just about sustainability; it was about future-proofing the business. The system helps reduce grid dependency, stabilise energy costs, and improve operational resilience, all while supporting the business’s B Corp commitment to people and planet.
As a fellow B Corp, this project held special significance for us. We share the same values around doing business responsibly and creating long-term value for our communities.
Founded in 1982, Thetford Garden Centre continues to invest in innovation and sustainable growth. This project demonstrates the real, year-round financial and environmental benefits of solar energy, even in colder seasons.
To learn more about this project and the impact it’s already having, watch our full case study below.
System Performance Projection
| Annual Usable Solar Production | 229.66 MWh |
| Annual CO2 Emission Saved | 44.41 tonnes |
| Self-Consumption | 58% |
| Payback | 4.5 Years |
| Internal Rate of Return | 27.25 % |
| Lifetime bills savings | £1,586,921 |
System Components
DMEGC bifacial solar Panels: The installation uses tier 1 DMEGC solar panels, known for their excellent efficiency, sleek aesthetics and full traceability from source. There were 508 x 500W panels being installed in total, which are fully optimised.
SolarEdge Power Optimisers: Each panel is equipped with a SolarEdge power optimiser, which enables individual panel monitoring and performance optimisation. This technology mitigates the effects of partial shading and ensures maximum energy harvest from each panel. In total we used 254 x SolarEdge S1000 optimisers.
SolarEdge Synergy Inverter: The system features SolarEdge inverters, which works with power optimisers to convert DC electricity from the panels into AC power for home use. This inverter is designed for seamless integration with the SolarEdge ecosystem, including the battery storage system. This system included 12 strings feeding into 2 x SE90K inverters.
Doncaster PV Ultra Cabling: PV-Ultra cables are engineered explicitly for DC installations in photovoltaic systems. Designed with high-quality materials for an anticipated lifespan of about 25 years and can operate at average maximum conductor temperatures of 90°C, with short-term tolerance up to 120°C. This particular project included over 1,100m of DC cabling and 240m of cable tray.
NexBlue EV Chargers: The site has 6x 22kw wall mounted NexBlue chargers, that are managed on the WEVO Energy platform.