Bentley to install 10,000 solar panels at factory headquarters

Luxury car manufacturer Bentley Motors is to construct what will be the largest solar-powered car port in the UK.

The world-renowned company has enlisted the help of specialist ‘solar canopy’ developers FlexiSolar to build 10,000 solar panels at its factory headquarters in Crewe.

The car port will be used to shelter over 1,300 cars and provide enough power to meet around 24 percent of Bentley’s electricity needs. It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3,300 tonnes per year.

The project, which will take six months to complete, is being backed by Innovate UK, the public body established to drive economic growth through supporting business-led innovations.

Peter Bosch, Bentley’s board member for manufacturing said the installation formed part of the luxury brand’s overall sustainability strategy: “We continue to focus on new initiatives that reinforce our commitment to the environment...This solar installation is another example of how we can make our factory more sustainable by using technological innovation. This helps us produce extraordinary cars with responsibly-sourced materials in an efficient manner, while continually striving to reduce the company’s environmental impact.”

Robert Carpenter, managing director at FlexiSolar, commented that “This large scale solar carport system is a clear example of an integrated energy solution; and one that utilises an existing parking area without sacrificing valuable land resources.”

Bentley has an existed 5 megawatt solar rooftop installation at the site, consisting of 20,815 panels, built in 2013. It has also been recognised with a Carbon Trust Standard for its environmental achievements across carbon reduction, water efficiency and waste management.

Bentley employs around 4,000 people at its Crewe factory, producing 10,000 high-end vehicles a year for customers around the world.