Hampshire SME cuts footprint with rooftop solar system
Green energy news – by GreenWise staff
22nd July 2011
A Hampshire-based cosmetics firm has installed a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on its 55,000 square roofspace in the latest demonstration of the manufacturer’s commitment to going green.
Hampshire Cosmetics, a
small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Waterlooville, switched on the 277-kilowatt peak (kWp)
solar PV installation for the first time this week. The company, which designs, manufactures and distributes toileteries and cosmetics for a range of customers including supermarket chains and high street brands, said the scheme will cut its energy bills by 20 per cent at the same time as improving its carbon footprint.
Zero capital solar
The installation is one of a growing number of 'zero capital’
renewable energy schemes coming onto the market following the introduction of the Government’s Feed-in Tariff (FiT), a microgeneration subsidy that guarantees an inflation-linked income for on-site renewable electricity projects under five megawatts (MW) in size for a period of up to 25 years.
Under the deal, Anesco Asset Management, an
energy efficiency solutions company, will receive the FiT in return for leasing Hampshire Cosmetics’ roofspace and providing the installation and ongoing maintenance of the system.
"We are delighted the 277kWp scheme at Hampshire Cosmetics is now online and that we successfully delivered the project in a short space of time, safely and within budget," said Adrian Pike, ceo of Anesco.
Environmental measures
The solar project is the latest in a series of measures undertaken by Hampshire Cosmetics to address its environmental impact. The company, which employs 240 staff, gained environmental management system ISO 14001 in 2009. Following that and through a programme of encourage recycling and discouraging
waste, last year, the company recycled 128 tonnes of cardboard and paper, 22 tonnes of plastic and composting of sludge waste diverting 77 tonnes from landfill. By investing in energy saving heating, cooling and lighting equipment the company, meanwhile, has cut its electricity by 10 per cent and gas of seven per cent.
"This project greatly reinforces our continuing commitment to sustainable manufacturing," said Robert Sanders, head of finance at Hampshire Cosmetics.
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