One of the UK’s largest solar power schemes installed at Llanelli Business Park

ONE of the largest roof-mounted solar power schemes in the UK has been installed at a Llanelli business park.

A total of 1,648 solar modules atop the former MOD storage depot in Llangennech are generating enough energy to supply 200 homes, whilst displacing around 200 tonne of CO2 emissions.

The building is owned by R&A Properties, a logistics and technology company specialising in secure business storage, which took the site over from Carmarthenshire County Council in 2009.

The firm partnered with Scottish and Southern Energy Solutions (SSE), owners of SWALEC, to deliver the 387kWp system.

Fitted within three weeks of its commission, it is the latest in a range of significant investments that R&A Properties has made at the site to attract both Blue Chip and SME clients.

The development has drawn the attention of many – including World Cup-winning New Zealand rugby Coach Graham Henry who is visiting Wales in advance of the Barbarians game next week.

He was impressed with the efforts by R&A Properties to make the Llangennech business park as environmentally sustainable as possible.

Nigel Lovering, Managing Director of R&A Properties, said: “The success of the project can be attributed to the combined enthusiasm, capability and determination of all parties concerned, namely SSE, Carmarthenshire County Council and R&A Properties.

“Further to our improved green credentials, the benefit to our existing and potential customers in terms of energy costs will be significant.

“This is a further demonstration of R&A’s ambition and commitment to improving the prospects of the site, with the goal of further transforming the once deserted Llangennech facility into a thriving business centre, adding real value to the local and national economy of Wales.”

Mr Lovering said that R&A Properties chose to partner with SSE Energy Solutions because of its full in-house capability to finance, design, supply and install a full turnkey solution.

It is hoped the successful partnership will lead to further solar-powered projects on the site, with the aim of delivering an additional 350kWp of energy.

Mark James, Chief Executive of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “This is very innovative thinking by R&A Properties – especially so because of the location of the solar-powered panels on the roof which means that no-one can see the cells, yet they are able to produce thousands of pounds of clean energy which is used on the business park to drive industry. It is a win for the businesses and a win for the environment.”

Tenants on the Llangennech site include the public sector, an international defence client and an aerospace first tier supplier, with plans to secure more clients based on the new energy development. Mr Lovering added: “The whole project couldn’t have gone ahead without the positive and responsible planning actions of Carmarthenshire County Council, in particular Dave Gilbert, Director of Regeneration and Leisure, together with the planning team who recognised the opportunity that this investment could bring to the local economy.”