Lincolnshire Co-op invests over £2 million into solar energy

An additional 62 Lincolnshire Co-op sites will have solar panels installed, following the society’s £2 million investment into this greener alternative.

The retailer previously operated 11 sites with solar panels, generating 225,000 kilowatt hours (KWH) a year. The new sites are anticipated to produce an additional 1.8 million kilowatt hours (KWH) a year.

Buildings with solar panels will use approximately 30% solar energy and Lincolnshire Co-op’s overall indirect CO2 emissions will be reduced by an estimated 10%.

Lincolnshire Co-op have been working with energy saving experts SOL PV Group to get the first 8 sites up and running in food stores in Scawby, Morton Bourne, Barrowby in Grantham, Barnetby le Wold, Springfield Road in Grantham, Clipstone, Keelby, and Skellingthorpe Road in Lincoln. The remaining 54 sites – mostly food stores – will be fitted by summer 2025.

Brett Reynolds, Sales Director at Sol PV Group, said: “We were invited to install on a selection of Lincolnshire Co-op sites, including Barrowby Food Store.

“Since the install of 54 individual solar panels at Barrowby Food Store, 31% of the electricity consumed by the store is green energy generated by the solar PV array, proving Lincolnshire Co-op’s commitment to a more sustainable future.

“Following the successful rollout of the 8 trial sites, Lincolnshire Co-op have awarded Sol PV Group the contract to rollout solar PV installations across an additional 54 stores, with a total of 2MW installed across Lincolnshire Coop’s renewable energy estate.”

Use of LED lighting and the introduction of management systems that regulate heating and lighting have further contributed to efficiency within Lincolnshire Co-op food stores.

Fridge doors have been installed in most Lincolnshire Co-op stores, meaning that the retailer’s fridges use 27% less electricity on average, and the co-operative is choosing some of the most environmentally friendly refrigerant gases on the market for new stores and store refits.

The society also incorporates a range of other eco features within many of its food stores, including soft plastic recycling bins and water bottle refill stations.

On top of this, the co-operative looks after local green spaces through colleague volunteering projects and fundraising for environmental groups, as well as having its very own Co-op Wood in Dunholme.

The local co-op is currently working to set sustainability targets validated against the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), with more exciting environmental updates to follow in the future.

Will Tucker, Sustainability Advisor at Lincolnshire Co-op, said: “Fitting an additional 62 sites with solar panels is a significant investment, and demonstrates Lincolnshire Co-op’s commitment to a greener future.

“Making life better in our communities is at the heart of everything we do and caring for our local environment is a vital element of that.”