RELEASE DATE:  26 March 2013

Powering ‘Henry’ HQ with renewable energy

Exeter’s SunGift completes 250 kWp solar PV array for Numatic International

Exeter renewable energy specialist SunGift Solar has this completed a flagship 250 kW solar PV system for Numatic International – manufacturer of the world-renowned Henry vacuum at the company’s HQ in Chard, Somerset. 

Generating an estimated 235,000 kW hours each year (equivalent to the average annual electricity usage of 71 homes), the 1,000-panel system stretches over three roofs at Numatic’s manufacturing facility and took just under a month to complete.  It will help power thirty-fourcomputer-controlled injection-moulding machines and will save the production of more than 120 tonnes of CO₂ per year.  

 “This is an exciting development for us,” said Numatic property manager Andrew Smith, “and an important step towards meeting our carbon reduction targets.  This, combined with a number of other investments that we have planned, will take us towards our challenging goal – and with rising energy costs, it is more important than ever.”

Numatic chose Exeter-based SunGift Solar following a competitive tendering process involving a number of renewable energy installers.

“We chose SunGift on the strength of the very impressive, identically-sized system they had installed in 2012 at the Met Office premises in Exeter,” added Andrew, “and we are delighted with the work they have carried out for us.  SunGift completed the system exactly on time and to an excellent standard and their team were all helpful, friendly and professional.”

The installation continues an exceptional run of commercial renewable energy installations for the Exeter-based renewable energy specialist, which has also recently completed large systems for the Met Office, Exeter City Council and Darts Farm.

 “Numatic’s solar PV system is a clear demonstration of how beneficial solar PV systems are for commercial businesses,” said Gareth Walton, business development manager at SunGift Solar.  “Like many other organisations with high and rising energy costs, Numatic’s system will reduce its energy bills as well as bringing in a substantial income from the Feed-in Tariff and reduce its carbon emissions and boost its green credentials.”

 The £250,000 installation is based at Numatic’s manufacturing site in Chard, Somerset, which operates continuously to produce around 5,000 products per day. 

 The PV system is expected to generate energy bill savings and Feed-in Tariff payments totalling more than £50,000 per year, which means that it will have paid for itself in less than five years.  Feed-in Tariff payments run for 20 years, so Numatic will receive a further 15 years of  index-linked income from the scheme.

 Numatic has been involved in the UK plastics industry carbon reduction scheme since 2009 and has so far achieved its target savings every year. But a new target of a 17% improvement on 2008 has to be achieved by 2020.

 Energy costs have increased significantly over the past decade or so, far outstripping the rate of inflation. According to the government average energy costs for businesses and other non-domestic users have more than doubled in less than ten years, and are projected to increase up to 55 per cent by 2020. Such large increases are having a significant impact, with recent surveys finding that 80 per cent of businesses are concerned about the cost of energy and nearly 10 per cent would be forced out of business if energy costs continue to rise as they have done.  According to the surveys 50 per cent of businesses have either installed or are considering installing renewable energy to help reduce their energy costs with solar PV the most popular technology, which has been installed or considered by 61 per cent of manufacturing businesses.
 
PHOTO Captions:

1.    Numatic’s youngest employee Sam Stockford switches on the company’s 250 kWp solar PV system

2.    One roof of the 250 kWp solar PV system at the Numatic site in Chard, Somerset

3.    Gareth Walton, SunGift Solar business development manager

-ENDS-

Note to editors 

About SunGift Solar

SunGift Solar is a renewable energy specialist that offers a personal design service and tailored systems to meet its customers’ exact requirements.  It fits a whole range of renewable energy technologies – from solar panels and heat pumps to biomass boilers and small wind turbines.
  

Formed in 2005 by owner Gabriel Wondrausch, the friendly Exeter-based company employs 30 members of staff, and was one of the first installers in Devon to be accredited to the government’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). SunGift Solar is acclaimed by the industry, winning the 2011 and 2009 South West Green Energy Award for Renewable Energy Installer or Supplier of the Year, and finishing runner up in the same category in 2010 and 2012. SunGift is also the top ranked installer in the UK, on the independent website www.yougen.co.uk, which ranks companies based on customer feedback.

Using the highest-quality systems is an important part of SunGift Solar’s philosophy, and it constantly strives to use the latest, cutting-edge equipment, combined with the highest standards of workmanship.

For further information contact SunGift Solar on 01392 213912, or visit www.sungiftsolar.co.uk.

About Numatic International
 Numatic International manufactures a range of domestic, commercial and industrial cleaning and maintenance equipment for distribution worldwide.  The company employs more than 700 people and produces more than 4,000 units per day.  Numatic is solely owned by its founder, Chris Duncan, who created the prototype for its flagship "Henry" vacuum cleaner in 1968.

 Numatic manufactures a number of products, including a range of vacuum cleaners, aimed at both commercial and domestic markets. It is the last major producer of vacuum cleaners in the UK
 

Press contact – SunGift Solar

For further information, photos, or to interview Gareth Walton from SunGift Solar, contact James Reddy on 07967 835947, james@jamesreddy.co.uk