Sainbury’s reaches solar panel milestone

Sainsbury's multi-roof solar panel installation programme has so far generated 7.0 MWp of electricity - enough to power 2,000 homes for a year.


The announcement by the retailer follows the installation of solar panels at 115 of its stores across the UK, equating to over 36,600 panels of cylindrical PV.

The installation is part of Sainsbury’s wider commitment to reduce its operational carbon footprint through using renewable energy technologies at its stores.

As well as solar panels, Sainsbury’s has recently installed its 26th biomass boiler in its new Ely store and plans to double the number these in stores by the end of 2012.

Beyond this, five Geo-Exchange ground source heat pumps have also been installed since a pilot trial at its Crayford store in 2010 with plans to triple these by the end of the year.

The company’s investment in onsite renewable energy technologies forms part of corporate target to reduce operational carbon emissions by 30% absolute and 65% relative by 2020 compared with 2005.

This is part of a broader target of an absolute carbon reduction of 50% by 2030.

Maxine Perella

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe