Pictured above: (l-r) Richard Montagu, Going Solar's site manager, with contractor Gary Pack of Eastern Structures

A Midlands renewable energy installer is making green history after starting work on the UK's largest rooftop solar power project.

Going Solar has begun fitting the first of 2,200 photovoltaic panels on to a series of warehouse roofs at Debach Enterprises, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich. It will span more than an acre when the project is completed next month (May).

The Neen Sollars firm says the 500kWp installation is set to generate up to 440,000 kW hours a year, which will not only provide free power to the warehouse, but also feed enough power back to the grid to supply over 100 homes.

It clinched the £1.2 million contract from a London-based renewable energy developer after a rigorous competitive tender process in which Going Solar impressed with its technical know-how and commitment to customer service.

Going Solar has undertaken the planning and building regulations applications, electrical design and grid connection as part of a comprehensive programme of engineering, procurement and installation services for the Suffolk project.

"Work is progressing well on this vast installation and the team is delighted to be playing its role in a ground-breaking project in the UK," commented director Charles Houston.

The Worcestershire company has also recently completed one of the UK's largest solar thermal panel installations at Abberley Hall School near Worcester. A series of 48 flat plate collectors are being used to heat a swimming pool and provide hot water for showers.

Going Solar specialises 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.