Solar Power For Logistics, Distribution & Warehousing

Utilising your extensive roof space with fully funded solar solutions in the logisitcs, warehousing and distribution sectors.

Fully Funded Solar Solution Calculator

Shawton Energy works with large property asset owners to harness solar power by installing 100% fully funded, high-quality Solar PV systems, utilising extensive rooftop space in a unique way.

We work with the world’s best-quality solar technology providers to create peace of mind for our clients.

Logistics buildings and distribution centres tend to have extensive roof footprints and a considerable demand for electricity under that roof. However, matching roof and demand often underutilises the space and therefore, at Shawton Energy, we are developing our proposition to help exploit valuable rooftop space to deliver on sustainability objectives for your customers and also create additional revenue streams.

Power purchase agreements for rooftop solar PV solutions

Why choose solar?

In the past 12 months, energy bills have risen by a staggering 96%. With Solar PV, you can reduce electricity bills for your customers by up to 30%.

Meet CSR objectives.

Solar power can produce substantial savings for your customers.

You can work towards carbon net zero.

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Show your environmental commitment to your customers and investors.

Solar PV can help to futureproof your business.

Harness renewable, sustainable energy sources.

Create revenue streams by increasing rental revenues, selling energy to your customers at a higher price or creating revenue by renting out your roof space to Shawton Energy.

What is a Power Purchase Agreement?

Businesses can switch effortlessly to low-cost, green solar energy without any upfront costs with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

We are co-owned by Lazard Investment, a global investment firm and bank, and have allocated £250m of funding for commercial renewable projects. This investment in Shawton Energy demonstrates our standing in the market and with over 100 projects completed to date across various sectors we are in a great position to help more businesses transition to greener, cheaper energy.

Our PPA helps businesses transition to generating green energy through technologies such as solar, but with zero upfront investment or ongoing operational costs.

We design, install, operate and maintain the solar project through a long-term contract ranging from 15 to 25 years in length, and you agree to buy the energy produced by the solar assets at a secured, fixed price throughout the contract which is much lower than what you would buy off the grid.

We continue to operate and maintain the project once it has gone live through both remote analysis of the project and physical inspections on an annual basis to ensure that the solar is creating as much energy as possible.

At the end of the contract term, we hand the solar across to you and will continue to produce free solar energy for years to come.

Where the current electricity demand suggest a solar project with only partial coverage of your rooftops, then there are a number of options available to your business.

If we can secure export at your site, we could oversize the project and Shawton Energy trade the excess energy and either rent your rooftops for a fee or even provide you with free electricity at the site where we have oversized.

By looking at each of your sites as individual projects, we can provide you with a number of options to not only commercialise your rooftop real estate but also ensure your sustainability objectives are being met and providing your customers additional value whilst ensuring you stand out from the competitive environment you are currently in.

We are able to look at projects as small as 500m² in size and would only need some basic information initially to understand the options available and present some initial options to consider as a business.

Virtual power purchase agreements for solar PV solutions

The Commercial Value Streams for your Business

By providing renewable energy to your clients you have the option to increase your service fee/rental costs due to them being able to access cheaper, greener energy
If you sell the energy to your tenants then you are able to charge them the same but make more revenue as the PPA price for solar will be cheaper than the grid price
If export is available on site, you can secure long term secure revenues to rent out the rest of your roof to Shawton Energy, ensuring you are maximising your real-estate footprint.

How does the Power Purchase Agreement Process Work?

If we understand your rooftop real estate and also the energy demands at those sites, you could benefit from free solar PV installation financed by us through a PPA. Once we have confirmed your eligibility, we’ll partner with you to get to know you and your facility’s energy consumption.

This is part of our five-step approach, beginning with an initial meeting, a desktop feasibility study and then a technical site visit. Once we’ve assessed your rooftop for solar suitability, we create a proposal based on your consumption, showing a detailed projection of your cost & carbon savings over the course of the PPA.

Our Initial 5 Step Approach

5 step power purchase agreement purchase for solar energy

Why would you choose a Power Purchase Agreement with Shawton Energy?

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Your property is increased in value and attractiveness with zero upfront investment or ongoing opex

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Immediate savings which can be passed onto your customers

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The assets sit on Shawton Energy’s balance sheet and not yours

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You don’t have to worry about the ongoing maintenance or operation of the solar assets

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You & your customers are less vulnerable to the volatility of grid prices

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You buy the energy produced by the Solar PV at an agreed price for the duration of the contract. If the sun doesn’t shine or the assets are not working then you will not pay for the energy

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You enter into a long term partnership with a trusted energy partner

Case Study

Shawton Energy worked closely with international food and drink group Princes Group and their third party logistics provider, Knowles Logistics, to install a comprehensive, fully funded, solar energy system at their distribution centre in Wisbech.

Princes Food Group’s sustainability strategy and Net Zero ambitions were the key reason to work with Shawton Energy on the first of their renewable projects in the UK. With their Logistics provider, Knowles Logistics, already on this journey to enhance their 2 million square feet of warehousing portfolio, it was a truly collaborative effort to deliver a project that will not only provide carbon and financial savings but also enhance the property’s value.

We took advantage of the large roofs at the distribution centre adjacent to the manufacturing facilities to lower their energy demand off of the grid. Knowles Logistics took advantage of Shawton Energy’s Power Purchase agreement, which meant there was no upfront capital or ongoing operational costs whilst Knowles and Princes enjoyed cheaper, greener energy through a long-term contract ensuring Knowles could negotiate a longer-term tenancy agreement and have a happier customer.

Princes Group are now enjoying 542,903kWh of 100% renewable energy every year at their Wisbech site, which accounts for over 30% of their energy usage. By having over 1,200 panels installed on a 500kWp project, they are looking forward to enjoying renewable energy for more than 11 years through Shawton Energy’s PPA with an expected energy bill saving of more than £1.2m during that period.

Knowles Logistics are now using this model to roll out across their estate and are experiencing increase customer traction and increased revenue streams due to their sustainability efforts at no upfront cost to them.

150,000

GBP Reduced On Average Annually In Electricity Bill

198,256

kg Of Carbon Saved Annually

4.87M

Money Saved On Electricity Bills In 25 Years

850

kWp Solar PV System Size

FAQs

Do you do projects throughout the UK?

Yes, we do projects from Scotland to the south coast. The sun’s intensity does vary throughout the UK, however we have many projects in Scotland and the north of the UK that still have great commercial and carbon savings.

Will the installation of solar panels disrupt my business?

No. Our team will ensure your business’s day-to-day operations are not disrupted and ensure your customers have no impact on
their facilities.

Do I need planning permission?

Smaller projects no longer need planning permission if it is on the roof. It will just need permitted development applications made and we do all of this on your behalf.

If I have land and/or a car park is there a way of leveraging this space also?

Simple answer is yes, however we would discuss what is possible at our initial call and include areas where we feel it makes sense commercially and technically.

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