When Print & Design Workshop approached EC Eco Energy, their objective was straightforward: reduce electricity costs, improve sustainability and future-proof the business against rising energy prices.
What appeared simple on paper quickly proved to be a far more complex project.
The Rainham site consists of a high-rise commercial building with limited usable roof space, multiple roof types and a significant amount of existing rooftop equipment already occupying valuable real estate. Unlike many commercial solar projects where large uninterrupted roof areas are available, every square metre of roof space on this site had to be carefully assessed and utilised.
To make matters more challenging, the highest working areas were approximately 30 metres above ground level and the building's lift could not be used to transport equipment to the roof.
For most installers, these obstacles would have significantly limited the size of the system. For EC Eco Energy, it simply meant finding a better solution.
Making Every Available Roof Space Work Harder
After carrying out a detailed survey of the site, our design team identified an opportunity to maximise generation by splitting the solar installation across three separate roof areas.
The final design consisted of:
- 25 solar panels installed on a flat roof section using a Van der Valk mounting system
- 40 solar panels installed on a pitched tiled roof
- 40 solar panels installed on a separate warehouse building used for storage
By combining multiple roof spaces into a single design, we were able to install a total of 105 high-efficiency 465W solar panels, creating a system capacity of 48.8kWp.
This approach allowed the client to generate significantly more renewable electricity than would have been possible using only one roof area.
Delivering the Project Without Interrupting the Business
One of the client's key requirements was that the installation should not affect daily operations.
As a busy commercial business, downtime was not an option.
Because lift access was unavailable, every solar panel, mounting rail, inverter component and installation material had to be manually transported to the roof by the installation team.
This required careful planning, strict safety procedures and close coordination between our engineers and the client. Difficult access is a challenge we plan for as standard — it is part of our civils and groundworks capability on every project.
Despite the logistical challenges, the project was completed while allowing the business to continue operating as normal.
To further minimise disruption, final commissioning and energisation of the solar system was carried out outside normal working hours.
Future-Proofing the Site with EV Charging
Alongside the solar installation, EC Eco Energy supplied and installed a 22kW three-phase EV charger for the business owner.
As more businesses transition to electric vehicles, integrating EV charging with on-site solar generation allows organisations to reduce transport costs while making better use of renewable electricity generated on-site.
Expected Energy Generation and Carbon Savings
The completed 48.8kWp solar PV system is expected to generate between:
42,000 and 46,000 kWh of renewable electricity every year
This will reduce the site's reliance on imported grid electricity and help protect the business against future energy price volatility.
The installation is also expected to prevent approximately:
9 to 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year
Equivalent to removing several petrol vehicles from the road annually
Over the lifetime of the system, the carbon savings are expected to exceed 225 tonnes of CO2.
Why This Project Matters
This project demonstrates that commercial solar is not limited to large warehouses or buildings with perfect roof layouts.
Even where roof space is fragmented, access is difficult and existing services restrict installation areas, a carefully designed system can still deliver significant environmental and financial benefits.
By combining technical expertise, practical problem solving and detailed planning, EC Eco Energy transformed three separate roof areas into a single high-performing renewable energy system.
The result is a future-proofed commercial property that now generates its own clean electricity, supports EV charging and reduces long-term operating costs.
Looking for Commercial Solar in Essex?
Whether your site is a warehouse, factory, office, workshop or multi-building commercial premises, EC Eco Energy specialises in designing and delivering commercial solar, battery storage and EV charging projects throughout Essex and across the UK — including the Romford and Havering area around this Rainham site.
Our team delivers projects ranging from 100kW to 5MW, helping businesses reduce costs, improve sustainability and take control of their energy future. See more of our work in our case studies.