Pictured above: (l-r) Going Solar directors Charles Houston
and Andy Perkins
A million pound contract to install probably the UK's biggest
solar power project to date has been won by a fledgling
Midlands-based provider of renewable energy solutions.
Going Solar fought off fierce competition to clinch the deal to
fit around 2,200 photovoltaic panels on to a series of warehouse
roofs in Ipswich, Suffolk, which will span 1.1 acres.
The installation, set to start in February and due to be
completed in early March, is designed to generate up to 500kW,
enough power to supply more than 100 homes.
The company, from Neen Sollars, Worcestershire, and headed by
directors Charles Houston and Andy Perkins, made the best
impression during the competitive tender process organised by a
London-based renewable energy developer.
"Although Going Solar are only a relatively new business, the
developer was not only won over by our know-how and desire to
deliver a successful project, but also by our impressive track
record of customer satisfaction," explained Charles Houston.
"We're delighted to have been selected for this project,
especially as large solar PV is new to the UK. Although it will be
our largest contract to date, we're confident that we've the right
approach and expertise to meet the challenges of this vast
installation," he added.
Going Solar have recently completed a host of projects around
the UK including a solar thermal panel installation for heating an
indoor swimming pool at Abberley Hall School, near Worcester. It is
expected to reduce energy bills by around £10,000 a year.
"You just have to look at the devastating consequences of the
oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico to see that the future must lie in
the clean, ever-lasting and safe energy that hits the Earth's
surface from the sun in such abundance. If we could capture just 40
minutes' worth of it, then that would be more than enough to meet
the world's energy consumption in a year," said Charles.
Going Solar specialise in providing large solar PV systems as
well as across-the-board renewable energy systems for
medium-to-large businesses and organisations. Other services
include grant advice, system design, project commissioning and
maintenance.