Reed Chillcheater has embraced solar photovoltaic technology by installing solar arrays at both its offices in Barnstaple and Braunton. The wetsuit manufacturer approached renewable energy installer, Source Renewables, to design and install two bespoke solar arrays in order to lower the British manufacturer’s carbon footprint as well as secure its future energy needs. 

As a result, Source Renewables installed an 8.4kWp solar array at Chillcheater’s factory in Barnstable as well as a 9.6kWp system at the company’s headquarters in Braunton.

“It’s always been important for me to move my business forward in a positive way,” said Chris Reed, Managing Director of Chillcheater, “and the solar PV arrays are proof that it is possible to protect the environment while investing in the future of your business.  They are already proving to be an excellent asset, generating renewable electricity, reducing my energy bills, and dramatically reducing Chillcheater’s carbon emissions.”

The most encouraging aspect for the company is the ability to monitor the up-to-the-minute performance of both the PV systems by utilising the EnaSolar inverters’ ability to wirelessly transmit data. “I’ve been able to closely monitor the electricity we’ve generated,” added Reed, “and even with the poor weather we’ve experienced this summer our systems have exceeded what we expected.

“Source Renewable did an exceptional job in installing my two commercial solar PV systems.  In the past I have used trades people that did an ‘acceptable’ job, but Source was exceptional, doing everything they promised and more.  Not only were their staff neat and tidy, but also they were timely, efficient and a pleasure to have around – it’s not often you can say that about a contractor. The thing that most impressed me was there was no disruption in any way to my business when they were installing the systems, which meant that our operations could continue to run smoothly.

Reed added: “I was so impressed with the work that Source Renewable did on my business that I have also used them to fit a domestic system on my house.”