Lidl GB Retro Fit – Solar PV
End Client: Lidl GB
Location: 5 Retail Stores in SW England
System Size: 5 x 180kWp Roof Mounted Systems
How retrofitting solar panels helped Lidl meet sustainability and efficiency goals
After setting ambitious climate targets, Lidl GB committed to purchasing 100% of its energy from renewable sources. Part of the strategy was to add solar PV arrays to all new Lidl stores in the country, and soon after, this initiative was extended to refurbishments and existing stores.
The Challenge
Lidl trusted SQ4S as its solar PV partner on this important decarbonisation mission. Lidl wanted to upgrade five of its retail stores in the South-West of England while the stores remained open to the public. This required:
- A lean system that would minimise over-production and export of unused energy
- Replacement of as much mains usage as possible with renewable solar energy
- Integration of the new solar power system with the existing electrical infrastructure at each store
- No interruption of day-to day store operations
The Solution
SQ4S immersed itself in the numbers and carefully analysed each store’s energy usage data. The next step was to estimate the optimum hourly generation of a solar PV system that would fit on the available roof space with a view to keeping over-generation to a minimum and achieving the best return on investment for the client.
To further help Lidl meet its targets in the agreed timeframe, SQ4S acted as the main contractor, taking care of the process end to end – from handling the DNO application for a local grid connection to managing the health and safety of staff and customers on-site for the duration of the project.
The Result
SQ4S designed, supplied and fitted a high-specification turnkey system with a peak power of 180kWp, resulting in all five stores consuming 95% of the energy generated with only 5% exported back to the grid. This meant that 30% of Lidl’s overall electrical supply came from the solar PV roof system – a major milestone that moved Lidl GB a few steps closer to becoming carbon neutral by 2022.
With specialist support from SQ4S, Lidl diversified its energy sources, became more energy-efficient, and benefitted from an excellent return on investment of around four and a half years.
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Email: enquiries@sq4s.co.uk
Phone: 0330 383 0351
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