MINI has installed more than 11,500 panels on the roof of its new bodyshop, helping to harness renewable energy to power Oxford’s MINI Plant.
At more than 20,000m2, the plant now boasts one of the largest, roof-mounted solar farms in the UK.
The system has the capacity to generate over 3MW from more than 11,500 solar panels covering an area equivalent to five football pitches. They will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of 850 households.
Frank Bachmann, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said, “We are delighted that our new solar farm is now up and running and already producing green energy for Plant Oxford.
“It is fitting that the first of these panels have gone onto our new bodyshop as the building has been designed with environmental performance at its heart.”
The plant’s bodyshop opened at the end of last year, containing 1,000 robots to build the new MINI hatchback.
On 1 July, SMMT will publish its 15th Sustainability Report which details energy used and emissions generated by the automotive industry.
