Triodos Bank has earned its place as one of the greenest lenders in the UK after providing record amounts of loans in 2011 for renewable energy projects. As part of its drive towards low carbon business, the bank has also recently commissioned a rooftop solar system at its UK headquarters.

Renewable energy is a key sector for the bank, which increased its overall lending in this area by a record 36 percent last year. Now, just six months after moving into its new headquarters, Triodos has made the decision to go solar with an array of 40 solar photovoltaic panels, installed by Solarsense, which is now on track to generate almost 9,000kWh of renewable electricity each year.

The PV panels will not only reduce Triodos’ annual electricity bills but also save five tonnes of CO2, significantly reducing the bank’s carbon footprint. Triodos will also benefit from Government's feed-in tariff payments.

The solar system, sustainable construction methods and furnishings used in Triodos’ headquarters have helped the building achieve an “excellent” rating under BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method.

Kit Beazley, Triodos’ Head of Finance, said: “Triodos exists to demonstrate that banks can marry sustainability with commercial success, so when we moved to our new building it was important that it matched our ethos and values. As a long-term customer of ours and local supplier, Solarsense was the natural partner to provide the solar array for our new offices.”

Hannah Spungin of Solarsense said: “We are delighted that our solar energy system is helping Triodos keep its lead as the UK’s most sustainable bank in one of the country’s greenest offices.”