Archwood Group installs 2,600 solar panels as part of their Net Zero initiative

Leading manufacturer of timber products, Archwood Group, has installed over two thousand solar panels at its factory in Chirk, North Wales, as part of their commitment to becoming a Net Zero business.

Archwood Group is a leading manufacturer of timber products with two trading brands: Richard Burbidge, a manufacturer and supplier of stairparts, decking accessories and decorative mouldings, and Atkinson & Kirby, which supplies premium hardwood flooring. 

The installation of 2,600 solar panels at their North Wales factory aims to reduce their carbon emissions and further the business’ plans to switch to 100% renewable energy. 

This follows Archwood Group’s appointment of its internal Environmental Action Group and recent announcement in joining the United Nation’s Race to Zero campaign, whereby the business has committed to achieve Net Zero by no later than 2050. 

Following thorough assessments, Energy Gain UK Limited was chosen as the supplier in the project which took 16 weeks to complete. The total system size is 1MW and offers a payback period of three years. The solar panels will generate 40% of the factory’s total energy requirements, which is enough to power 250 homes annually and provide an annual saving of 175 tonnes of C02e.

Alongside this installation, Archwood Group has also introduced its Future Energy Strategy, to implement best practice for its energy supply moving forward. The business has now entered a contract with BiU that will see 2 years of 100% REGO sustainable energy supply. As part of this, the group has committed to a long-term agreement that will see a direct supply of renewable energy, known as The Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA), from October 2024. This will help to source green energy as part of the business’ road to Net Zero, introduce new renewable capacity and further ways to budget and plan for a more sustainable future.

Lee Burford, Director of Operations at Archwood Group, comments: “By installing solar power, we will be able to fully monitor the panels generation and efficiency to ensure the system is delivering the intended results year on year. This just shows how renewable technologies represent value for money over conventional fossil fuels and why investing in the green transition is worth every penny.”

This is Archwood Group’s second renewables source, having already installed a biomass boiler at the Chirk site as part of a non-domestic renewable heating incentive scheme (RHI). This reflects the businesses dedication to putting sustainable initiatives at the forefront of their production. 

Josh Burbidge, Manager Director of Archwood Group, comments: “The installation of solar panels will help to further reduce our overall carbon emissions. Whilst mitigating energy costs is important for all business’ right now, our focus still remains on our goals to achieve Net Zero by no later than 2050 to help reduce climate change and our environmental impact on the planet.”