Thorlux Lighting produces and distributes professional lighting and control systems. In 2019, they were awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation Category as a result of the development of the SmartScan wireless lighting management system. The company operates from a 16,882 square metre modern manufacturing facility in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Background
The team at Thorlux Lighting already knew plenty about energy efficiency thanks to 80 years as designers, producers and distributors of luminaires. They also had a carbon offsetting program already in place which involved planting trees to mitigate the carbon emitted from their energy-intensive manufacturing operations; reflecting their commitment to the environment.
The electricity demand was so great at their manufacturing site, solar PV panels made perfect sense for Thorlux Lighting, as they would enable the company to benefit from significant financial and environmental savings.
Commercial Solar at Thorlux Lighting
Survey and design
Ineco Energy undertook a full electricity consumption analysis and designed a system that would maximise the amount of solar PV generation. The size of the system was limited due to future roof repairs. However, Ineco Energy’s in-house designers were able to create a 250kWp system, so Thorlux will consume 99% of all power generated. The system took under 3 weeks to install almost 1000 panels to the roof, with minimal disruption to the site. Commissioned in July 2019, it quickly began delivering financial and environmental savings higher than forecast.
System monitoring
Ineco Energy will monitor and maintain the system to ensure the system performs at its optimum; delivering cleaner, cheaper electricity for generations to come.
Outcome
In excess of £30,000 and 57 tonnes of carbon will be saved each year, with over £1 million savings expected over the lifetime of the project. Thorlux Lighting has reinforced its commitment to the environment by switching to solar power and delivering cleaner, cheaper energy to their manufacturing facility. Additionally, the business is insulated against rising energy prices, has reduced its reliance on the grid and has taken greater steps towards energy independence.
Results
Annual carbon saving
57 tonnesAnnual savings
£30,000Lifetime savings
£1,053,000“From a financial perspective, it makes good sense for us to move to solar. Energy prices are rising all the time, it gives us our own energy generation here and we’re less reliant on the grid…. the Ineco Energy team are very knowledgeable and committed, they delivered a hassle-free installation and understood our needs from day one.”