Sherwood Cricket Club has installed thirty-six solar panels at its ground with the help of solar energy firm, Freetricity. The solar array was installed as part of the club’s ongoing programme to become more energy efficient and reduce utility bills.
Tony Rossiter, Chairman of Sherwood CC commented: “The installation of solar panels from Freetricity is the first step for the club to use renewable energy sources. With the cost of electricity, gas and water increasing, it is vital that we look at the longer-term benefits of renewable energy and alternative sources for our energy and water usage in addition to reducing our club’s carbon footprint.”
Dave Compton, Sales and Marketing Director at Freetricity plc said: “We are delighted to have supplied and installed a solar PV system at Sherwood. They are the first cricket club in Kent to have the benefit of a Freetricity solar system and we look forward to working with them to gain the full benefits from the installation.”
Peter Robinson, Director of Kent Cricket Board and Head of the Kent Groundsman Association added: “Cricket clubs play a key part in sustaining the green agenda in their communities. Hectare for hectare, turf grass will sequester more carbon into the soil each year than the same area of woodland. The maintenance regime operated by cricket clubs on its playing surfaces is vital to the annual oxygen production and carbon dioxide fixation. A healthy grass sward is vital to carbon sequestration – the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in the soil reservoir.
“Sherwood Cricket Club has been at the forefront of development in recent years in the Medway District and in the Kent Cricket Board and are a model of a club who are looking ahead and planning for sustaining their future. They have made significant ground improvements and now have installed solar PV panels to reduce their running costs. This kind of initiative to minimise their carbon footprint and establish a reputation in their community for providing opportunities for participation in cricket at the best value possible is a great credit to the Club. The Club are ahead of the curve in having an impact on the health of their community.”
