‘A safer tomorrow’: Arco fits 2,300 solar panels to roof of distribution centre
POWERED UP: The solar panels on the roof of Arco’s National Distribution Centre in west Hull
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Safety firm Arco has further demonstrated its responsible approach to sustainability by installing more than 2,300 solar panels on the rooftop of its National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Hull.
The NDC is the first of several Arco sites across the UK that will benefit from rooftop solar energy, as the company moves away from a dependency on fossil fuels.
Similar installations are planned for Arco safety centres at Bracknell in Berkshire, Eccleshall in Staffordshire, and Linlithgow in West Lothian, as well as the Arco Clothing Centre in Preston, Lancashire.
Guy Bruce, Arco’s chief executive, said: “At Arco, we're looking at every aspect of our business to see how we can reduce our impact on the planet.
“As part of our responsible approach to sustainability, we are constantly finding ways to improve the energy and carbon efficiency of our operations, including the use of renewable energy sources, intelligent LED lighting systems and low-emission vehicles.
“Renewable energy is an important part of our goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, and just one way in which we are taking action to secure a safer tomorrow for businesses, people and the planet.”
COMMITMENT: From left: Guy Bruce, Arco chief executive; Neil Dodds, Arco general counsel and company secretary; and Tom Thurling, managing director of Heatsource Direct, take a closer look at the solar panels on the roof of the National Distribution Centre
The 425,000 sq ft NDC is Arco’s main storage and distribution centre, holding up to 40,000 pallets and servicing up to 10,000 orders a day, maintaining the company’s service to customers.
The 2,352 solar panels have been installed by renewable energy specialist Heatsource Direct over the past few weeks, and from May they will provide about 50 per cent of the NDC’s power demand.
The panels will generate around 780,922 kWh of energy a year, roughly the same as the annual power consumption of 289 houses.
IMPACT: The effect of the solar panels in numbers
This will mean an annual CO2 reduction of around 182,276kg, equivalent to planting 7,291 trees each year.
Tom Thurling, managing director of Heatsource Direct, said: “It’s fantastic to see a nationally recognised company putting renewable energy at the forefront of their agenda.
“By moving away from traditional sources of energy, Arco will save money on their electricity bills, while also significantly reducing their carbon footprint, something that’s becoming ever more important for large companies.”