Solar Energy For
Transport & Logistics

Solar PV solutions for transportation, logistics and distribution

Solar Solutions Powering Transport And Logistics

Powering Supply Chains

Transport, logistics and distribution businesses operate in an environment where efficiency matters at every level.

Warehousing, distribution, automation, refrigeration, lighting, material handling and increasingly vehicle electrification can all contribute to significant electricity demand. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to manage operating costs, reduce emissions and help customers meet increasingly ambitious supply chain sustainability targets.

For organisations with large warehouses and distribution facilities, the property estate itself presents a significant opportunity.

Shawton Energy works with logistics and distribution businesses to utilise existing roof space to generate renewable electricity, reduce reliance on the grid and support longer-term energy and sustainability strategies.

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Why Choose Solar?

Large Rooftop Potential

Large, relatively unobstructed roofs can provide significant solar generation capacity.

High Energy Demand

Energy consumed within the buildings creates an opportunity to use much of the electricity generated directly on site.

Operational Efficiency

Solar energy supports production by reducing energy costs and improving overall operational performance.

Long-Term Financial Resilience

Help reduce exposure to electricity price volatility while supporting long-term business planning and sustainability goals.

Benefits Of Solar Energy In Transport & Logistics

Reducing Costs Without Significant Capital Investment

Investment across logistics estates often needs to be prioritised towards vehicles, automation, technology, facilities and growth.

Renewable energy does not necessarily need to compete for that capital.

Through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Shawton Energy can design, deliver, own and operate the solar installation, while the business purchases the electricity generated at an agreed rate.

This provides access to lower-cost renewable electricity without significant upfront capital expenditure, while ongoing operation and maintenance remain with Shawton.

As part of AMPYR Distributed Energy, Shawton combines specialist UK project delivery with long-term renewable infrastructure funding and ownership.

No upfront costs

The solar PV system is installed and funded by Shawton Energy, so you do not need to make a large initial capital investment.

Stable energy costs

A power purchase agreement gives you greater certainty over electricity pricing across the contract period.

Lower electricity bills

Electricity generated on site from solar PV is often cheaper than grid electricity in the UK, leading to immediate savings on your energy bills.

No maintenance responsibility

Shawton Energy typically handles installation, monitoring, and maintenance, so you benefit from solar power without the operational burden.

Supporting More Sustainable Supply Chains

Sustainability increasingly extends beyond an organisation’s own operations.

Customers are looking more closely at the environmental performance of their supply chains, while logistics providers are being asked to demonstrate how they are reducing emissions across warehousing, distribution and transport.

On-site renewable generation provides a measurable way to reduce operational carbon emissions and demonstrate progress.

For logistics providers, this can become more than an internal sustainability initiative. It can strengthen the proposition offered to customers that are themselves working towards Net Zero and Scope 3 targets.

Shawton’s work with Knowles Logistics demonstrates this particularly well, with the business reporting that its renewable energy investment was helping it offer customers more sustainable supply chain solutions.

Logistics property is not always straightforward.

The organisation using the energy may be a tenant rather than the building owner, while landlords, asset managers and customers can all have an interest in the project.

That does not have to prevent renewable energy deployment.

Shawton works with the different parties involved to establish a structure that delivers value for the occupier while supporting the landlord’s longer-term property and sustainability objectives.

Wider Estate Potential

For organisations operating multiple distribution centres, warehouses or depots, the opportunity does not need to stop at one site.

Shawton can assess a wider property portfolio to identify suitable buildings and prioritise sites, helping organisations accelerate carbon reduction and energy savings across their estate.

Our Process

01

Scope

We begin by thoroughly understanding your business needs, future energy goals, available roof or ground space, and site layout. This helps us design the most effective solar solutions tailored to your specific situation. If any repair work is required before installation, we offer a range of solutions to ensure your site is fully prepared for optimal solar performance.

02

Design

We develop and present an optimal solar panel design tailored for your business. Our goal is to deliver significant cost savings while ensuring the design aligns with your carbon reduction commitments. By understanding your unique energy needs and sustainability objectives, we create a solar solution that maximises efficiency and supports your long-term environmental goals.

03

Sign-Off

We facilitate the agreement and sign-off process for the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and lease agreements. This ensures that all terms are clearly defined and mutually agreed upon, providing a solid foundation for your solar project. These agreements outline the financial and operational aspects of your solar installation, ensuring transparency and alignment with your business objectives.

04

Install

We understand that warehouses and distribution centres are busy environments with round- the-clock operations.

Our engineering teams work around production schedules, health and safety requirements, shift patterns, and operational priorities to deliver safe, efficient renewable energy installations while ensuring facilities remain fully operational throughout the project lifecycle.

05

Maintain

Under a PPA, we provide real-time management of your solar energy generation and supply, ensuring optimal performance at all times. Our team is dedicated to maintaining your equipment through regular servicing and prompt repairs, reducing downtime and increasing efficiency. This proactive approach ensures that your solar system operates smoothly and reliably, supporting your business’s energy needs.

Trusted by leading brands:

Case Studies

Princes Group & Knowles Logistics

500 kWp Rooftop Solar

Shawton Energy worked with Princes and Knowles Logistics to deliver a fully funded rooftop solar installation at the Wisbech distribution centre.

The 500kWp system, comprising 1,200+ panels, generates 542,903kWh annually, was delivered in just five weeks.

GB Eye

136 kWp Rooftop Solar

Shawton Energy worked with CBRE Investment Management to develop a solar solution for GB Eye’s Sheffield headquarters and distribution centre.

The 136kWp system generates 132,113kWh annually, while being installed without disrupting operations.

Fully Funded, Turn-Key Long Term Solutions

Whether you operate a single distribution centre or a national logistics estate, your existing buildings could provide a significant opportunity to generate renewable electricity.

If you are exploring ways to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability performance, or strengthen your long-term energy strategy, we would be happy to discuss the opportunities available.

Get in touch with the Shawton Energy team to arrange an initial discussion and feasibility assessment.

Contact us at;

hello@shawtonenergy.co.uk

+44 (0) 1925 794874

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