
Southampton-based Absolar has completed the installation of a 520kWp rooftop solar array on a Draper Tools warehouse in North Baddesly, Hampshire.
The private wire installation comprises over 900 photovoltaic panels and 12.5km of cabling. On the day of completion, it was generating 73% of the facility’s power needs. Draper, which distributes hand and power tools across the UK said the solar installation is part of a wider commitment to sustainability which also includes recycling over 80% of its waste.

Absolar, which specialises in commercial solar installation, designed and fitted the panels around 700 skylights on the warehouse roof. The company uses AI and remote sensing tools to provide businesses with assessments of the solar potential of their rooftops, providing certainty on installation costs and ROI.
Draper Tools CEO Matt Sheen commented: “This has been a significant investment for us as a business but one that we hope represents our commitment to the future and to sustainable business practices.”
Dr Phil Wu of Absolar added that Draper’s “ambitious solar project” is a “perfect example” for businesses, noting the long-term energy savings that the installation will provide.
Commercial solar meeting business needs
As a way of proving commitment to sustainability and saving on energy costs, businesses are turning to solar. Ford Motors recently announced the commissioning of a 5.2MWp solar PV installation at its R&D campus in the UK, which will meet about 10% of the site’s annual electricity demand.
In Newcastle, renewable energy provider Two Blues Solar installed and powered a 165kWp system at livestock feed provider ForFarmers’ site in Stoke-on-Trent. The 388 solar PV panels will meet close to 100% of the site’s power consumption.
Indicative of the opportunity presented by the commercial rooftop sector, in November last year Brookfield Asset Management acquired Atrato Onsite Energy’s commercial and residential rooftop solar portfolio in a £220 million deal. At the time, Atrato’s pipeline was estimated to be worth £400 million, including contracts with major customers Tesco, Britvic, M&S and Nissan.
Brookfield said the acquisition deal, carried out between Brookfield and Real Asset Investment Management and backed by Access Capital Partners and AltamarCam Partners, demonstrates the potential of UK commercial and industrial (C&I) solar.