From Chemicals to Precision Engineering: Manufacturers Increasingly Turning to Solar to Improve Energy Resilience
Green Shield Group completes 1.67MWp of commercial solar installations during record growth in solar adoption.
Lancashire, UK – May 2026 – Lancashire-based renewable energy specialist Green Shield Group has completed more than 1.67MWp of commercial solar installations across several major UK manufacturing facilities, as businesses increasingly invest in on-site renewable energy to improve energy resilience, reduce operating costs and support sustainability objectives.
The projects, delivered across chemical manufacturing, precision engineering and industrial production facilities, are collectively forecast to generate almost 1.45 million kWh of renewable electricity annually while reducing carbon emissions by approximately 275 tonnes each year.
The projects come amid record growth in UK solar adoption, with government data showing more than 27,000 solar installations were completed in March 2026 alone, the highest monthly deployment in over a decade. Industry growth has been propelled by organisations seeking greater protection from energy market fluctuations and rising electricity costs.
According to Green Shield Group, manufacturers are increasingly viewing energy as a strategic business priority rather than simply an operational expense, driven by the need to manage energy costs, strengthen business resilience and reduce exposure to future market uncertainty.
Recent manufacturing projects include a 419.06kWp rooftop solar installation for chemical manufacturer James M Brown Ltd at its Stoke-on-Trent facility. Delivered within a complex operational environment, the project required extensive health and safety planning, insurer engagement and fire compliance measures while supporting the company’s wider sustainability goals.
In Lancashire, Green Shield Group completed a 437.26kWp solar installation for precision engineering manufacturer Hope Technology, with the system forecast to generate more than 400,000kWh of renewable electricity annually. The majority of generated electricity is expected to be consumed directly on-site, helping offset operational energy demand and improve long-term energy cost certainty.
The company has also delivered an 821.48 kWp rooftop solar installation for industrial manufacturer ENNOVI UK, designed to support long-term energy resilience and carbon-reduction objectives. The system is forecast to generate approximately 679,000kWh of renewable electricity each year, with around 87 per cent expected to be utilised directly within operations.
Across all three projects, a significant proportion of generated electricity is expected to be consumed on-site, highlighting an increasing trend among manufacturers to use solar generation to offset daytime production demand, reduce reliance on grid electricity and improve long-term energy resilience.
Chris Knight, Sales Director at Green Shield Group, said:
“Manufacturers are increasingly viewing energy as a strategic issue rather than simply an operational cost. While sustainability remains important, businesses are now investing in solar to gain greater control over energy costs, strengthen resilience, and gain greater certainty about long-term operating expenses.
“The organisations we’re working with operate in very different sectors, but they share many of the same priorities. They’re looking for practical ways to reduce carbon emissions while strengthening business performance and reducing reliance on external energy markets.
“The wider growth we’re seeing across the UK solar market demonstrates a broader shift in how organisations are approaching energy. Commercial solar is increasingly being recognised as a long-term infrastructure investment that can deliver measurable operational, financial and environmental benefits.”
Manufacturing continues to be one of the strongest sectors for commercial solar adoption, thanks to its combination of high daytime electricity consumption, energy-intensive processes, and extensive rooftop space suitable for solar generation.
Green Shield Group expects demand to continue growing as manufacturers increasingly incorporate renewable energy technologies into wider energy management, operational resilience and sustainability strategies. FOR MORE INFO VISIT: www.greenshieldgroup.co.uk
