Project overview
As part of its ambitious Carbon Reduction Plan, this local council committed to reducing emissions across its estate and supporting the town’s transition to net zero. Industrial estates are an important part of this journey as they host large, energy-hungry buildings that often present barriers to decarbonisation but also offer some of the greatest opportunities for impact.
Carbon3 worked with the client to install 150.15kWp of solar PV across three depot buildings at the industrial estate. This project, funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), has delivered significant financial savings for tenants, carbon reductions for the council, and a model for how industrial estates can be retrofitted without disrupting business operations.
The challenge
Industrial estates present some of the most complex retrofit challenges for local authorities and landlords. This is because they are large-scale buildings with high consumption and varied uses, so they often demand carefully tailored design solutions.
Another difficulty is often split incentives, as leased properties with multiple tenants can create conflicts around who pays for and who benefits from decarbonisation measures.
The last hurdle to overcome is operational disruption. Businesses need to remain open throughout works, which makes installations logistically demanding.
For our client, these challenges were set against broader pressures of rising energy costs, regulatory deadlines and net zero commitments.
Businesses across the industrial estate were facing higher overheads, making financial resilience a growing concern. The Government now requires all non-domestic properties to achieve EPC Band B by 2030, and the council’s Carbon Reduction Plan set a clear target to decarbonise its operations, improve energy efficiency, and lead by example for the wider community.
In short, this installation represented both a challenge and an opportunity. Could we reduce costs for tenants and lower carbon emissions for the council, while proving that industrial estates can be effectively decarbonised?
Our solution
Carbon3 delivered a solution that combined technical expertise with close coordination to ensure businesses could continue operating without disruption. We installed a 150.15kWp solar PV system across three depot buildings to generate clean, low-cost electricity.
To avoid any interruptions to the business’ operations, we used mansafe and guardrail systems to carry out work safely without the use of scaffolding. We also carefully coordinated any temporary car park closures to minimise disruption.
We designed and delivered this system in line with PSDS funding requirements, maximising value for the council and securing government support for the scheme.
The project demonstrates how complex sites can be decarbonised through detailed planning, engagement with stakeholders, and the right funding strategy.
The results
Tangible savings for businesses:
Tenants across the estate are now saving over £10,000 per year on their energy bills. These savings can be reinvested in staff, operations, and growth, improving the resilience of local businesses in the face of rising costs.
Carbon reductions for the council:
The system offsets 78,266kg of carbon annually, contributing to the client’s net zero targets and reducing the environmental impact of its industrial estate.
Business continuity maintained:
Through careful planning and communication, Carbon3 ensured that no businesses had to pause operations during the installation, which is often a requirement for sites where downtime can be highly disruptive.
Futureproofing against regulations:
By improving the energy efficiency of the industrial estate, the client has taken a major step towards meeting EPC Band B requirements ahead of the 2030 deadline.
Long-term system performance guaranteed:
Carbon3 has been appointed to monitor and maintain the system for five years, ensuring maximum efficiency. Our dedicated O&M team, who focus solely on maintenance rather than installations, deliver some of the fastest response times in the industry. If issues arise, they are resolved quickly to keep the system performing at its best.
Why it matters
For our client, this project represents progress towards a low-carbon future, meeting both environmental targets and regulatory requirements. For the tenants, it provides immediate relief from rising energy bills while keeping their premises future-proofed against upcoming energy efficiency legislation.
The project also highlights the role of PSDS funding in supporting projects that might otherwise face financial or logistical barriers. With Carbon3’s support, the client was able to secure funding, design a technically robust solution, and implement it without disruption to local businesses.
Industrial estates are among the most challenging sites to retrofit, but with the right expertise they can also deliver some of the greatest rewards.
If you’re struggling with funding your industrial estate decarbonisation project, contact us today to find out more about our innovative funding options.
