When businesses start looking at commercial solar, they often assume the biggest challenge is the installation itself.
At The Old Depot in Weedon Bec, Northamptonshire, the solar panels were arguably the easy part.
Before construction could begin, EC Eco Energy faced a series of planning, environmental and engineering challenges that required careful design and problem solving to overcome.
The result is a renewable energy system that now saves the business approximately £144,000 every year, reduces reliance on imported electricity and allows the site to operate almost independently of the grid during peak summer periods.
The Challenge
Like many commercial businesses across the UK, The Old Depot had seen energy costs rise significantly.
Electricity bills were averaging approximately £16,000 per month, creating a substantial operational expense and increasing exposure to future energy price volatility.
The site offered an excellent opportunity for a ground-mounted solar installation, but there were several obstacles standing in the way.
The proposed solar field was surrounded by mature trees, many of which had substantial branches extending over the planned installation area.
Removing the trees entirely was not an option.
The neighbouring residential properties relied on the trees for privacy and screening, while environmental considerations also needed to be respected.
At the same time, the land itself presented another challenge.
The ground conditions were uneven and the site was considered sensitive from a planning perspective. Traditional earthworks and extensive ground levelling were not permitted, meaning the solar installation had to be designed around the natural contours of the landscape.
Rather than forcing the site to fit the solar installation, EC Eco Energy designed the solar installation to fit the site.
Finding a Solution Without Compromising the Environment
Working closely with the client, a tree management programme was developed that reduced the impact of shading while preserving the mature trees.
Overhanging branches were carefully trimmed and managed to improve solar performance while maintaining privacy for neighbouring properties and preserving the site's natural character.
At the same time, the engineering team designed a bespoke mounting solution capable of accommodating the uneven ground conditions without requiring significant alterations to the landscape. Ground-mount schemes on uneven, planning-sensitive land — where earthworks and levelling are off the table — draw directly on our civils and groundworks capability, alongside the tree management work that made this installation possible.
This approach not only satisfied planning requirements but also reduced the environmental impact of the installation.
Building a Renewable Energy System Around the Site
The completed installation consists of:
- 240kVA Ground-Mounted Solar PV System
- 500 High-Efficiency 430W Solar Panels
- 30kW Battery Storage System
- Advanced Monitoring and Performance Management
- Optimised Inverter Configuration
Every aspect of the design was developed to maximise on-site energy consumption and minimise imported electricity.
The battery storage system helps capture surplus generation and allows stored energy to be used when demand exceeds solar production, further improving site efficiency.
The Results After 12 Months
Twelve months after commissioning, the numbers speak for themselves.
Before Installation — average electricity costs
£16,000 per month
After Installation — average electricity costs
£4,000 per month
Annual Savings
Approximately £144,000 every year
Cost Reduction
75% reduction in electricity expenditure
For many businesses, that level of saving has a direct impact on profitability, operational resilience and future investment planning.
Operating Almost Off-Grid During Peak Summer Months
One of the most impressive results came during May, one of the strongest-performing months of the year.
System performance data showed:
- Solar Generation: 26,521 kWh
- Site Consumption: 25,313 kWh
- Exported Energy: 4,747 kWh
- Grid Import: 3,547 kWh
The figures reveal something remarkable.
The solar and battery system generated more electricity than the site consumed during the month.
Even with a busy operating schedule, imported electricity was reduced to just a small proportion of total demand.
Approximately 88% of the site's electricity requirements were supplied directly from on-site solar generation and battery storage
For a commercial site, this level of energy independence represents a significant achievement.
Environmental Impact
The system is expected to generate more than 200,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually.
This will prevent approximately:
45 Tonnes of CO₂ Emissions Every Year
Equivalent to removing more than 20 petrol vehicles from UK roads annually
Over the lifetime of the installation, carbon savings are expected to exceed 1,000 tonnes of CO₂.
A Great Example of Commercial Solar Done Properly
What makes this project particularly successful isn't simply the size of the system or the savings achieved.
It's the fact that the installation was delivered without removing mature trees, without major changes to the landscape and without compromising the site's environmental responsibilities.
By adapting the design to suit the location rather than forcing the location to suit the design, EC Eco Energy delivered a renewable energy system that performs exceptionally while respecting the site's constraints.
Can Ground-Mounted Solar Work on Challenging Sites?
Many businesses assume their site isn't suitable for solar because of trees, uneven land, planning restrictions or environmental considerations.
The Old Depot demonstrates that these challenges can often be overcome with the right design approach.
At EC Eco Energy, we specialise in designing commercial solar, battery storage and EV charging solutions for complex sites throughout the UK — including Northampton and the surrounding Northamptonshire area around this Weedon Bec site.
From difficult ground conditions and planning constraints to multi-site portfolios and large-scale commercial installations, we help businesses unlock the benefits of renewable energy while working with the realities of their site. See more of our work in our case studies.