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In 2010, housebuilder and developer Larkfleet Group demonstrated its commitment to sustainable energy by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to provide electricity for its head offices in Bourne, Lincolnshire. Now, two years later, the installation has been shown to be producing even more electricity than was predicted when it was installed.

Southfield House – a building adjacent to the company’s headquarters, Larkfleet House – was chosen for the installation due to its large south-facing roof. The array of 42 PV panels aimed to provide renewable energy for Larkfleet House, reducing energy use from the grid and therefore reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

Lark Energy (www.larkenergy.co.uk), a member company in the Larkfleet Group and accredited PV panel installer, oversaw the planning of the PV project and installation of the panels, working closely with local group partner Deepings Trading, which supplied the components.

Figures now show that the installation has exceeded all expectations, generating nearly 19,000 kWh (kilowatt hours) in its first two years. This has provided 975 kWh of energy for Larkfleet Group per kW installed – some 15 per cent more than was predicted when the panels were first installed.

This increase in performance above expected levels of power generation will also benefit customers who have purchased PV installations from Larkfleet. They will also have seen higher levels of energy produced that will have reduced their energy bills by more than predicted and they will have been able to generate a higher income from selling energy to the national grid under the Feed in Tariff scheme.

Many of Lark Energy’s customers are obtaining returns of more than 14 per cent per year on their investment in solar power.

The Southfield House installation is one of many large-scale PV installation projects Lark Energy has completed, including fitting panels on the roof of Peterborough Greyhound Stadium, on HPC Healthline’s national distribution centre in Bourne, on South Holland District Council’s headquarters in Spalding and on many large grainstores in the area.

Lark Energy managing director Jonathan Selwyn commented: “The PV installation at the head office demonstrates Larkfleet Group’s commitment to sustainability, not only within our development projects but also within our own business practices. The installation of PV panels can save businesses substantial amounts in energy bills, as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

“The fact that large-scale PV installations are now performing even better than expected means even more savings and return on investment for companies.”

PV panels produce electricity from daylight, generating useable power even on cloudy days, enabling companies to save a substantial amount from electricity bills and significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Lark Energy develops and installs a range of renewable energy solutions. It specialises in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems ranging from large-scale solar farms to on-roof commercial systems and multi-roof housing projects.