Lincolnshire Co-op commits over £2 million to expand solar energy in 62 additional stores, enhancing its sustainability efforts.
- The company has already implemented solar panels at 11 sites, generating 225,000 KWH annually.
- The new solar installations are projected to produce an additional 1.8 million KWH each year.
- The initiative is expected to reduce Lincolnshire Co-op’s overall indirect CO2 emissions by around 10%.
- The solar panel project aligns with broader energy efficiency strategies, including LED lighting and advanced heating management.
Lincolnshire Co-op is spearheading an impressive sustainability initiative by dedicating more than £2 million to the installation of solar panels across 62 additional locations. This effort significantly expands its current solar energy infrastructure, which includes 11 sites generating 225,000 kilowatt-hours (KWH) annually. The projected output from these new installations is anticipated to reach an additional 1.8 million KWH per year, marking a substantial step forward in the co-operative’s environmental strategy.
Currently, the buildings equipped with solar panels are using approximately 30% of their energy from solar sources, contributing to a projected overall reduction in Lincolnshire Co-op’s indirect carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 10%. This move underscores the organization’s commitment to environmental stewardship and energy independence.
Lincolnshire Co-op has partnered with SOL PV Group, a recognized expert in energy savings, to expedite the deployment of solar panels at the first eight food store sites. These include locations in Scawby, Morton Bourne, Barrowby in Grantham, Barnetby le Wold, Springfield Road in Grantham, and Clipstone, Keelby, and Skellingthorpe Road in Lincoln. The plan is to have the remaining 54 sites, predominantly food stores, fitted with solar panels by the summer of 2025.
Will Tucker, Lincolnshire Co-op’s sustainability adviser, emphasized the importance of this project by stating, “Fitting an additional 62 sites with solar panels is a significant investment, and demonstrates Lincolnshire Co-op’s commitment to a greener future. Making life better in our communities is at the heart of everything we do and caring for our local environment is a vital element of that.”
Complementing its solar panel initiative, Lincolnshire Co-op has integrated various energy-efficient technologies, including LED lighting and sophisticated management systems for regulating heating and lighting. Furthermore, the installation of refrigerator doors in most stores has resulted in a notable average reduction of 27% in electricity usage by the retailer’s refrigeration units.
Additionally, under its expanded collaboration with Retail Insight, Lincolnshire Co-op has introduced an enhanced version of ‘Waste Trim,’ a data-driven model designed to optimize stock assortment and minimize overstocking, thus further reducing food waste across its stores.
Lincolnshire Co-op’s investment in solar panel expansion exemplifies its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency, catering to both environmental and community well-being.
