We have recently installed a 109.56 kWp commercial solar PV system for a medical lubrication provider based in Leeds.
| Project Details | |
| System Size 109.56 kWp |
No. of Panels 264 |
| Annual Generation 94,383 kWh |
Co2 Emissions Reduction 21,235 kg/year |
Optimum Medical create healthcare lubrication which you’ll find in every NHS acute hospital, and offer the UK’s largest range of healthcare lubricants – including the market leader. They export to more than 60 countries around the world. In short, They are true specialists in lubrication and urology products.
In March 2024, AR Power were one of four companies who were asked to provide a quote to install a solar PV system to their start-of-the-art-facility in West Yorkshire.
Our in house team designed a 109.56 kWp system which will generate 94,383 kWh and help save Optimum Medical 21,235 kg in carbon in the first year. We were delighted when Optimum Medical chose AR Power as their preferred installer.
Once the agreement was signed, our operations teams began to submit grid applications and plan for the installation. Our in-house team deployed the solar PV system in September 2024.
We recently had a Q&A with Ian Wheeler, CSR and Sustainability Manager at Optimum Medical about the project. This is what he said:
1. What were your motives for installing solar at Optimum Medical?
We have always been an ethical and responsible company, which has historically seen us doing lots of work in the community and for charities. We have our own ambitions from a sustainability perspective but we are also very lucky to have an amazing team of staff who not only expect us to lead in reducing our environmental impact but want to be involved in the change. Add into the mix our customers’ expectations, particularly from the NHS who have very ambitious targets for themselves and their supply chain and it is clear that we all want the same things.
A few years ago we started to calculate our carbon footprint, then looked at and prioritised areas where we expected we could have the most impact. One of the main areas identified was through electrification of processes and equipment. Since then we have undertaken many environmental projects, including making an EV salary sacrifice scheme for staff with free charging for staff at both our sites. Changing any company cars used by our nursing team from diesels to plug in hybrids, all our equipment at the warehouse is electric (fork lift trucks, scissor lifts etc), we have even purchased an electric van and started our own local delivery service in Leeds and Bradford. The next logical step was to get solar to help power all this and reduce the burden on the grid. Due to our green energy contracts, even when we do need grid power we know the bits we use are coming from other renewable sources.
2. What was the internal process you went through, did you get multiple quotes?
Solar Power was identified in our 2021/22 Management Report as a great opportunity to reduce our environmental impact and an opportunity worth investigating further. We initially selected a number of installers based on online reviews and asked them if they would be interested in sending us a proposal of what system they recommended based on current and future use (we would like to expand our local delivery service in the future which would need additional electric vans). They were asked to supply details on the total energy generated, how much we would use / export, with costs, payment options etc. We received four proposals with varying system sizes, and were supported by our energy broker (Tritility) in selecting an appropriate system. The big surprise really was just how short the return on investment is, in our case just under six years, this was a very easy sell to a Board who were already keen to go ahead and just needed to know it was feasible.
3. Why did you choose AR Power?
In the end we received four options, two of which were excellent – very similar in price, design and for which the online reviews were extremely positive. We selected AR Power due to their vast experience with installations at sites similar to our own and after speaking directly with several customers who had all had amazing experiences – both in terms of installation and after support.
4. How did you find the process with AR Power?
The installation process was straightforward from start to finish. Everyone we spoke to was very accommodating which reassured us that AR Power were right for us. I live quite far away and work remotely, visiting the office/warehouse every couple of weeks on average. I expected this could present some challenges but it wasn’t an issue. We met a couple of times for surveys etc before the installation started, where I was able to introduce the AR team to key site personnel. Our main concerns were then around any power downtime. Like most businesses we are hugely reliant on power for communications, receiving orders etc – essentially the business would be hugely impacted by any downtime.
Although we did have to turn the power off, it was only very briefly and was done out of business hours to ensure there was no impact. Adam from AR Power liaised directly with our IT manager to ensure there were no issues. All contractors (welfare facilities / scaffolders etc) were managed by AR Power and I was sent through periodic updates (before each stage) as to what was taking place, and risk assessments / method statements for that part of the process. It really was effortless. We lost a couple of days due to the weather, which is unavoidable but other than that everything was on time. I received the handover file within two days of the project being completed!
5. Would you recommend AR Power?
Absolutely, at some point in the future we will be looking at the feasibility of installing solar at our office, we would definitely want to use AR Power again.
6. Is there anything else you think may be worth mentioning about the installation?
I think the care taken with the installation itself is worth mentioning. The inverters, cabling trays etc which are installed inside the building are all incredibly neat and have been installed with care, they don’t look like an afterthought. Also how tidy everything was kept during installation in an occupied building was very much appreciated!
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If you would like to discuss installing solar for your pharmaceutical or medical device manufacturing facility, please get in touch with us today. We have national reach and can design and deploy an effective solar PV system at any location in the UK using our own in-house teams.
