An independent research report, commissioned by the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) and produced by specialist consultancy Delta Energy & Environment (Delta-EE), has shown huge potential benefits for the UK, and for the warehousing and logistics sector, of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the nation’s warehouse rooftops.

As the warehousing sector possesses approximately a third of all commercial roof space, it has the potential to double the UK’s solar PV capacity, which means the warehousing alone could deliver the entire UK requirement for 2030 forecast by the National Grid future energy scenarios (FES).

According to the report, UK warehousing has the roof space for up to 15GW of new solar power, which could:

• Double the UK’s solar capacity;
• Reduce carbon emissions by two million tonnes/year;
• Cut warehousing electricity costs from between 40-80%;
• Save the warehousing sector £3bn/year;
• Provide a more secure power supply;
• Enable the sector to become a net producer of green electricity.

Laurence Robinson, Senior Analyst at Delta-EE and co-author of the report said, “Rooftop solar PV in warehousing can play a significant role in delivering local renewable energy, particularly in urban areas where limited alternative options are available due to land and planning constraints. The UK’s 20% largest warehouses can provide 75million square metres of roof space, avoiding the need to develop new land equivalent to the footprint of 500,000 houses.”

Commenting on the report, Chief Executive of UKWA Clare Bottle said, “As energy costs continue to rise, it is essential that we seize this opportunity to potentially double the UK’s solar PV capacity and massively reduce electricity costs for businesses in this vital sector. The current crisis in Ukraine has underlined the necessity for a more secure power supply for the UK and adopting solar PV across the country clearly supports the journey towards the government’s 2050 net zero targets.”

“UKWA is calling on the government to support the sector in embracing solar PV as it transitions to electrification with transport fleets, forklifts and other mechanical handling equipment, automation and robotics, all of which will drive up the requirement for low-cost, sustainable electricity.”

The report will be published at IMHX in Birmingham on 6 September, 2022 and will later be available to download from the Association’s website.  UKWA members can also download a PV installation toolkit giving a step-by-step guide to adopting the new technology.

Photos: Clare Bottle; Solar panels on warehouse rooftops could double the UK’s solar energy capacity.