Kingspan Insulated Panels LLC - Largest rooftop solar PV system for JLR

The 5.8MWp system installed on the roof of the Jaguar Land Rover facility is spread across 35,000m2 of roof space and is expected to generate 30% of the plant’s yearly energy requirements. This output, enough to power more than 1,600 homes, will be used on site to reduce the building’s primary energy consumption from the grid. The system is also expected to save over 2,400 tonnes of CO2 every year, the equivalent of burning 1,225 tonnes of natural gas. The system includes more than 21,000 275Wp polycrystalline PV modules linked together by over 100 miles of electric cable.

Shortlisted for Renewable Project of the Year in the BusinessGreen Awards, the unprecedented system was installed as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to using resources responsibly across its business. The premium car manufacturer wanted to integrate the most cost-effective and efficient solar PV system possible into the envelope of the building.

Kingspan Energy was chosen to lead the project from start to finish. Kingspan Energy is a solar energy solution provider working on some of the most prestigious large-scale solar PV projects in the UK and offering an end-to-end service package, including the 25 Years combined roof & solar PV system guarantee.

Under the guidance of Kingspan Energy’s experienced project management team, the entire system was designed and installed in just 11 weeks, to the highest specifications and under strict site conditions during the winter period: exceeding the ambitious three month schedule set by Jaguar Land Rover.

The project comes on stream just as the UK government has reaffirmed its vision for large-scale solar generation in the UK. Last month, Energy Minister Greg Barker identified the opportunity for the UK’s rooftops to become power stations, speaking publicly of the boosts to the economy, the environment and British businesses projects like these can offer.

“This landmark project sets the tone for UK businesses to make the most of the assets they have with PV generation” explained Peter Turley, Business Unit Manager for Kingspan Energy. “Large-scale rooftop PV installations are a fantastic commercial investment when companies can find the upfront capital cost to benefit from them. We’re working closely with our partners and customers to help facilitate more solar PV installations than ever before, helping businesses up and down the country to benefit from the reduced costs and increased energy security these projects bring.”

Part of the Kingspan Group, Kingspan Energy is a solar energy solution provider making low-carbon energy generation accessible for UK businesses. With its fully-funded option, Kingspan Energy enables more companies to benefit from the lower energy costs and greater environmental credentials associated with photovoltaic (PV) solutions, without the risks involved in the capital outlay, installation or maintenance of a PV system.