Jaguar Land Rover installs UK's largest solar roof

THE LARGEST EVER solar panel roof has been completed at the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) engine factory in South Staffordshire. More than 21,000 solar cells have been fitted to the roof over the Engine Manufacturing Centre and will provide enough electricity to power 30% of the factory’s needs.

When the solar panels are working at full capacity, they will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 1600 homes. They will also help to reduce the JLR factory’s carbon footprint by more than 2400 tonnes per year.

Trevor Leeks, JLR’s Engine Manufacturing Centre’s Operations Director, said: ‘Our world-class facility showcases the latest sustainable technologies and innovations. The completion of the UK’s largest rooftop solar panel installation here at the Engine Manufacturing Centre is just one example of this.

‘As the first manufacturer to win the ‘Responsible Business of the Year’ last year, environmental innovation lies at the heart of Jaguar Land Rover’s business.’

JLR also plans to create an environmental corridor on its factory site to encourage the safe and natural movement of wildlife around the neighbouring countryside. There are also plans to install features such as boxes, habitat piles, dead wood stumps and insect houses to encourage animals and birds to the site.

By Press Association reporters