British luxury brand JLR has opened a vast new solar farm at its Gaydon headquarters as part of its drive towards more sustainable energy generation.
Covering 26 hectares – the equivalent of 36 football pitches – the installation will generate up to 31% of the site’s electricity directly from the sun.
The Gaydon project represents the first stage of a wider UK rollout of solar facilities by JLR. Next in line is an expansion of the company’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, where over 18,000 solar panels are being installed.
Once complete, the system will provide close to 40 per cent of the site’s power requirements, supporting production of electric motors and batteries.Next year, JLR plans to begin installing over 10 megawatts of solar carports at its Merseyside site. It'll be the largest of its kind in the UK.
Alongside its energy projects, JLR has incorporated measures to improve local biodiversity at Gaydon. Wildflowers have been planted between solar panel rows, while hedgerows are being restored with bird-friendly species to support wildlife habitats.
Andrea Debbane, JLR’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said: "The delivery of our self-generated renewable energy projects across the UK and China is part of our strategic shift to gain greater control over our energy mix against a backdrop of uncertainty – reducing our reliance on volatile markets and global grid infrastructure."
