SMMT News

Bentley shines as Energy and Climate Change Minister visits solar array

09 October 2013 #SMMT News

Bentley Motors welcomed Greg Barker, Energy and Climate Change Minister, to its headquarters in Crewe to find out more about the installation of more than 20,000 solar panels on its factory roof, the biggest installation project of its kind in the UK.

It is anticipated that at peak generation times, the system will produce up to 40% of Bentley’s energy requirements and reduce CO2 usage by more than 2,500 tonnes per year. The solar panels generate enough energy to power over 1,200 households and are three times more powerful than the second largest roof mounted system in the UK.

Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, said, “Solar is a genuinely exciting energy of the future and the coalition government is committed to placing solar at the heart of the UK’s energy mix.

“Bentley’s solar project here in Crewe – the largest of its kind in the UK – is a fantastic example of how solar can work in practice. It’s generating a huge amount of energy, cutting costs and reducing carbon.”

Michael Straughan, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing, commented, “The solar panels have generated over 2,200,000kWh’s of energy since its installation in March, having a hugely positive impact on the efficiency and sustainability of our manufacturing operations. We’re very proud of the project and so are delighted to welcome Greg Barker to the factory and share the information behind that success.”

Follow the link for more details about the sustainability of the UK automotive industry.

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