PC Specialist is on track to become carbon-neutral by 2020
British computer manufacturer - PC Specialist - is one step closer to becoming carbon-neutral after a 950-panel solar array was completed at its two units in Wakefield by the solar developer, EvoEnergy. The company decided to invest in solar technology as part of its ongoing environmental commitment to become a carbon-neutral site by 2020, with the added benefit of driving down its energy costs.
The 235.5 kWp system will allow the firm to offset 96 tonnes of carbon per year, providing it with 187,900kWh annually – the equivalent generation to satisfy the average electricity demand of 57 homes.
The company - which can potentially be testing up to 500 PCs at any given time - currently uses around 285,000 kWh per year. With up to two thirds of its energy usage now generated from solar, its owners expect to save more than £20,000 per year.
PC Specialist Director Danny Williams said: “Though restrictions meant that we couldn’t have a system as big as we wanted, we’re keen to look into this in the future. With the saving from our bills, the feed-in tariff and the exported energy, we’re looking at a good saving on our costs.
“We’re pleased to be doing our bit for the environment too. It’s something we pride ourselves on, and everything we use is either recycled or reused as much as possible.”
James Clifford, National Account Manager at EvoEnergy, said: “It’s refreshing to see a company exploring new ways to be green. The array is one of a number of EvoEnergy installations to use a combination of Solar Edge optimisers and inverters, meaning that modules are linked together in pairs rather than in groups of modules in strings.
“This makes it more efficient in the long term since shaded or soiled modules don’t impact on the performance of the other modules in the string. Monitoring at individual panel level also makes it easier to pinpoint any problems, so the system is easier to repair should anything go wrong.”