Green Shield Group completes solar installation at AMRC North West
Lancashire-based Green Shield Group has announced the completion of a state-of-the-art solar installation at the AMRC North West hub located in Blackburn.
Three variations of solar technology were installed including traditional roof mounted solar, south-facing wall-mounted solar and two state-of-the-art Smartflower solar flowers installed alongside Green Mole, each connected to the main office building providing 44,000 kWh of free green energy annually and reducing AMRC’s carbon footprint by over 11,000 tons of CO2.
Chris Ridehalgh, Green Shield Group said: “We are proud to be working with AMRC North West to deliver a sustainable solution that has not only saved the business money, it has also drastically cut CO2 emissions. It has been great to work alongside an innovative local research facility and its team, understanding their requirements and delivering a solar solution.”
The installation is part of AMRC North West’s low carbon smart factory demonstrator, working to help manufacturers decarbonise their operations.
James Valentine, technical engagement manager, smart building, at AMRC North West, said: “As a Low Carbon Smart Building Demonstrator, the adoption of renewable energies was a priority.
“The ability to source our installation locally through Green Shield allowed us to impact the local economy and business, as well as our carbon footprint as a demonstrator. The energy generated from the solar installation works in tandem with our recycled EV battery energy storage and allows the building to operate more sustainably.”
AMRC North West is part of the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) innovation cluster, which has a global reputation for helping companies overcome manufacturing problems and is a model for collaborative research involving universities, academics and industry worldwide.
The installation has provided a cost-effective energy solution, whilst also demonstrating the value of energy self-sufficiency and sustainability as UK manufacturing continues its push towards net zero.
Based in a £20m state-of-the-art applied research centre on the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone in Preston, funded by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), AMRC North West is managed by the University of Sheffield and is a member of the High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, a consortium of leading manufacturing and process research centres backed by Innovate UK.
It turns world-leading research into practical improvements for industry, helping to boost businesses productivity and sharpen their competitive edge, while saving time, money and energy – and plays a key role in supporting Lancashire firms to compete nationally and internally.