The sun is shining on an ambitious North Wales business which is planning to beat the energy crisis by going solar.
Ruthin-based Turner Bros which diversified from a construction company by turning its headquarters in a former nightclub into a hub for small businesses is now planning for a renewable future.
They have already had two 10-kilowatt systems installed by Rawson EV Power of Wrexham on the site of the former Venue club, on the town’s Hen Lon Parcwr trading estate.
With current annual savings at £2,500 but certain to rise as gas and electricity prices rocket, the scheme, which is guaranteed for 25 years, could pay for itself in as little as three years.
Gregg White, Rawson EV Technical Manager, said: “We’ve installed one 10-kilowatt array on Birch House and another on a row of units rented by different businesses.
“The power is generated by 50 405-watt solar panels and the benefit comes from a combination of not having to buy the energy while being paid for any excess energy that is exported to the grid.
“The panels are serving companies ranging from The Sorbus Tree, a high-quality caterer, to a joiner’s workshop but with the roof space that is here there is always the potential to increase the amount of solar.
“In all the system should produce about 9,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a year which is enough to power three homes with 90 per cent of that used by the businesses here and 10 per cent fed into the grid.
“The initial system we have installed is going to save thousands of pounds a year and could pay for itself in just a few years.
Gareth Turner said: “It has been something I have thought about for a while but I wasn’t convinced until now – I’ve literally seen the light.
“The increase in the cost of power this year, especially for a business which isn’t protected by the price cap, made me take the plunge and I’m already seeing a saving.
“Electricity and gas prices have rocketed and I have to pass them on to my 16 tenants so when I saw the projections from Gregg that convinced me.
“Everyone is looking for a cost-saving and this is working for us because it’s only going to get worse in future and it’s making us cleaner and greener as well.”
Turner Bros are also customers of Rawson Digital, who supply business machines and copiers and who are the parent company of Rawson EV Power and Gareth Turner added: “We have plenty of south-facing roofs here and it just made sense for us and our tenants.
“I’ve been very pleased with the service I’ve had from Rawson who have been excellent throughout.”
Rawson have also supplied electric vehicle charging points at Birch House after moving into that line of business after fitting them at their own headquarters on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
That sparked their own diversification with over 500 vehicle-charging point installations fitted in the past 18 months, from single domestic chargers to multiple units for major employers.
That in turn has led to the successful move into fitting solar panels and in the last 12 months the business has fitted numerous commercial and domestic solar systems.
