Cutting carbon while keeping operations moving – a solar success story from east London.
The problem: high energy use, growing pressure to decarbonise
The client is a leading East London-based logistics company with a large distribution hub supporting a fast-paced delivery operation. Like many businesses in the sector, they were facing two key pressures:
- Rising energy costs driven by unpredictable grid pricing and increasing consumption.
- Growing stakeholder expectations to demonstrate real progress on environmental sustainability.
The company knew it needed to reduce its carbon footprint, but any solution had to be implemented without interrupting operations. With tight logistics schedules and vehicle movements happening throughout the day, downtime simply wasn’t an option.
The solution: a bespoke 550kwp solar PV system by Carbon3
The client partnered with Carbon3 to explore renewable energy as a strategic investment. From the start, the goal wasn’t just to “go green”, it was to gain energy independence, lower long-term operating costs, and signal serious commitment to sustainability.
Carbon3 conducted a detailed energy audit to understand when and how BDM used electricity. This analysis, combined with local weather and solar irradiation data, confirmed that solar PV could significantly offset the site’s daytime energy load.
Rather than a standard installation, Carbon3’s in-house team designed a tailored 550kWp solar PV system. The system accounted for the complex roof geometry of the warehouse and used high-efficiency panels to maximise generation. The install was carefully planned to avoid any interference with BDM’s ongoing operations.
Execution without disruption:
One of the biggest concerns for the client was avoiding any operational disruption as this would cost them money, and potentially even clients. Carbon3’s operations and installation teams worked closely with the client to plan deliveries, equipment movement, and installation work around daily activity. All work was carried out under strict safety protocols, and the system was installed and connected to the grid under G99 compliance with no downtime required.
Post-installation: data-driven energy management
After installation, the client opted for Carbon3 to install an energy monitoring system, enabling them to track performance in real time. This insight has allowed their team to:
- See exactly how much grid energy they’re displacing,
- Identify new opportunities to reduce waste,
- And report accurate carbon savings to stakeholders and ESG auditors.
The project has cut the client’s electricity costs significantly and reduced their reliance on the grid, offering not only carbon savings but also cost predictability in an increasingly volatile energy market.
Looking ahead:
For BDM, this project wasn’t a one-off sustainability badge, it was the start of a larger energy strategy. The successful rollout of their solar PV system has created a solid foundation for further improvements, including future EV charging infrastructure.
Why this matters for other SMEs:
Many SME logistics operators face the same dilemma: they want to lower their environmental impact but can’t afford to stop operations. BDM’s story proves that with the right planning and expertise, energy transformation doesn’t have to come at the cost of business continuity. In fact, it can support long-term resilience, lower cost exposure, and enhance brand reputation.
Are you a small or medium business looking to cut operational costs to stay competitive? Email us today at info@carbon3.co.uk for a no obligation conversation about how we can help.
