RENEWABLE ENERGY 40 Issue 257 - February / March 2025 www.signlink.co.uk such big initiatives. “The cost of funding the project requires significant investment, and the business needs to understand the return on the investment which changes dependant on location and aspect of the roof.” Acknowledging the financial stresses in the UK print and signage industries, Rowell adds: “The British printing industry, like many others, faces significant energy challenges. These range from the high costs associated with energy-intensive processes to the need for reliable and sustainable energy sources to meet our net zero ambitions. Our experience in overcoming these challenges through innovative approaches and collaboration can provide a blueprint for other sectors.” Speaking about changes required to make investment choices easier for companies, Rowell says: “The government needs to do more to allow choice when choosing energy providers and also needs to ensure there is financial support to help us with the transition to net zero as well as ensuring wider energy security.” Potts Print UK, an independently owned producer of lithographic and digital print for packaging, large-format, and direct mail, has also recently invested in a solar PV system. Speaking about the investment, Beck Owen, deputy director of corporate services at Potts Print, comments: “The carbon savings coupled with the ongoing cost savings and potential revenue from selling energy back to the grid are well worth the investment. in anyone’s book.” Like any investment, solar energy can be costly and complex to understand, especially when it comes to factors like paying for the system, electricity rates, and solar consumption. For other sign and print businesses looking to invest in renewable energy, Aura’s advice would be to start with a "thorough feasibility study to understand the potential benefits and challenges,” says Jones, who adds: “Collaborate with experienced contractors who can provide expert guidance and support you throughout the installation process. “It's also important to consider the longterm financial and environmental benefits, as these investments can lead to significant cost savings and a positive impact on your brand's reputation. Lastly, engage your team and stakeholders in the process to ensure a smooth transition and maximise the benefits of your investment.” Considerable Factors With the recent increase in both energy rates and business expenses, especially following the UK government’s Autumn Budget, companies have various aspects to consider when making big changes to their premises and operations. Anthony Rowell, sales & customer success director, and sustainability lead at Tradeprint, has recently researched renewable energy options for the Scottish-based trade company and has realised the complexities and considerations needed for “Environmentally, the system has made a notable impact by reducing scope 2 emissions by a predicted 76tCO2e annually. Financially, the installation has offered significant energy savings, ensuring long-term economic stability.” In order to help manage the process, Potts Print partnered with CrowdHouse Energy which managed the entire process from initial planning to installation. When it comes to installation advice, Owen says to build in plenty of time for unexpected elements of the process such as with the DNO (Distributor Network Operator) and your own network operator to undertake the system switch. Discussing the financial and logistic considerations of exploring renewable energy, Rowell explains: There are different types of funding that can help mitigate these big outlays, such as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA for solar installation is a financial arrangement where a third party installs, owns, and operates solar panels on a property, and the property owner purchases the generated electricity at a fixed rate.” Rowell adds: “It’s important to do your research as there’s a myriad of solutions alongside PPA’s such as upfront purchase, solar loans, leasing, grants, incentives, and even community solar where participants contribute to a shared solar program and then multiple users invest in a larger, offsite solar project, and benefit from reduced energy costs.” Reflecting on the lessons Aura realised during its renewable energy investment, Jones says: “One of the key lessons we learned was the importance of working with reliable and experienced suppliers. “Our contractor, Genfit, played a crucial role in the successful installation of our solar panels, even under challenging weather conditions. Their expertise and professionalism ensured that the project was completed on time and to a high standard. Additionally, we found that clear communication and collaboration with all stakeholders, including employees and external partners, was essential for the project's success.” As evident by the advice and insight shared in this article, it’s clear that investing in a renewable energy option, whether that be solar or other emerging technologies, is a complex but potentially very rewarding process. Regardless of how much investment different companies have made across the UK, and how quickly grants will happen, importantly, businesses realise the need for change and are gradually learning the crucial steps required to initiate that change. The question now is how you will undertake environmental changes in your business? ▲ Working closely with contractors and navigating the challenges of different weather conditions and roof types can be areas to consider when installing solar panels
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