Solar partnership brings boost for businesses

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have teamed up with West Suffolk Council to offer companies access to the successful Solar for Business initiative.

Businesses can now reduce their carbon emissions and save money on energy bills by signing up to have solar panels provided and installed on their premises, for free.

Electricity generated by the panels is then sold to the business at a rate lower than their current tariff, helping to slash energy bills and improve their bottom line.

Solar for Business has been running successfully in West Suffolk for nine years – helping more than a hundred companies to save a total of around £700,000 and 2,000 tonnes in harmful CO2 emissions per year. 

The initiative is now being extended, with businesses across Babergh and Mid Suffolk also able to sign up to the scheme.

Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council, said:

“This new pilot partnership will help businesses in all three council areas tackle climate change and make savings.

“It is a great example of councils working together and using our local knowledge and expertise to deliver initiatives tailored for our local businesses. It also is part of our strategic priority for sustainable growth and environmental resilience.”

Cllr Helen Davies, Babergh District Council’s cabinet member for Climate Change, Nature Recovery and Biodiversity said:

“District councils have a strong track record of working in partnership to deliver real results for our businesses and communities.  

“By joining forces with West Suffolk Council to offer the Solar for Business scheme in Babergh we can help businesses to become more energy efficient and save money on their bills.  It’s a fantastic way to support the local economy whilst also tackling climate change.”

Cllr Tim Weller, Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for Environment, Culture and Wellbeing said:

“We want to help businesses in Mid Suffolk improve their bottom line by cutting energy bills – with the added bonus of reducing our carbon footprint and helping us to achieve our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.  

“Climate change doesn’t recognise boundaries, so I’m delighted to be able to work with our neighbours at West Suffolk Council to deliver this pilot scheme in our district.”

To be eligible, businesses must be within West Suffolk, Babergh or Mid Suffolk’s district boundaries, and must have a minimum electricity consumption of 5,000kWh per year.  For a firm paying 25p/kWh this would mean electricity bills of around £1250 per year.

To find out more about the scheme, email: environment@westsuffolk.gov.uk, call 01284 757631 or visit: www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/solarforbusiness