A proof of concept for the solar panels carried out on one of the Co-op stores during planning stages. Image: Sol PV Group
Central Co-op has partnered with commercial renewable company Sol PV Group Ltd. to install over 12MWp of solar PV technology across its property portfolio.
The partnership follows the open letter signed by Central Co-op and other major retailers calling on Rishi Sunak to prioritise unlocking additional renewable energy generation capacity at the beginning of this week.
The Yorkshire-based company has already successfully delivered test sites at Central Co-op food shops in Dersingham and Weeping Cross, which Paul Dennis, chief operating officer at Central Co-op, dubbed an “excellent taste of the partnership”.
Following the announcement new installations upwards of 12MWp of rooftop PV panels will be installed across Central Co-op buildings including food stores, filling stations and funeral homes, over the next 6-12 months. These additions will save Central Co-op more than 11 million kWh, according to the company.
“We are absolutely delighted to be awarded such a prestigious contract as the Central Co-op PV roll out. I would like to thank the team at Central Co-op for working so closely with us over the past 18 months. It has been an absolute privilege” said Sol PV Group founder and managing director, Tony Waite.
Central Co-op is one of the largest retail co-operative societies in the UK, owned by hundreds of thousands of members around the UK.