Hendy Group’s Van and Truck Centre in Chandler’s Ford near Southampton is generating its own electricity after the installation of a solar array.

The 50kWp PV system was installed by Renewable Energy Investments (REI) under the company’s Solar Power Purchase Scheme. Under the initiative, the solar array is fitted for free and Hendy Group purchases the electricity generated from the system at a heavily discounted rate before assuming ownership of the system entirely after 20 years.

John Hendy, systems and resources director at the Hendy Group explained why the company decided to turn to solar, he said: “As a company we have been keen to adopt innovative technology over the years. We are also focused on being environmentally friendly so the time seemed right to take advantage of REI's solar power purchase scheme. It is still early days but we are very pleased and are looking to introduce it at our other sites.”

Toby Smith, projects director at REI, explained that the company’s solar power purchase scheme allows companies to focus capital spend on core business activities yet still benefit from a solar array’s output. He added that a solar array “allows businesses to contribute to the fight against climate change by reducing their carbon footprint but also make meaningful savings on their electricity costs”.