Commercial PV Cuts Gym’s Electricity Bills
Client: Amazon Leisure (UK) Limited
Measures: Solar PV
Location: Shropham, Norfolk
Date: August 2015
Value: £72,000
The Challenge
Cornerstone was approached by small business Amazon Leisure in 2015 to discuss ways in which they could reduce the significant electricity bill of their gym.
The large and popular gym in Shropham, Norfolk, has a very high electricity demand due to the volume and range of equipment available, 50% of which requires a constant supply seven days a week from as early as 6am to 9.30pm in the evening. An alternative source of electricity generation was required in order to improve the sustainability and profitability of the gym.
In addition, the gym and office building both had to remain open and fully functional throughout any works, minimising disruption to Amazon Leisure’s customer base and staff.
Our Solution
Following a survey of the property and discussions with the owner, solar PV was identified as the ideal solution, especially given the favourable Feed in Tariff rates available at the time.
Cornerstone was appointed to design, specify and install the 60kW on-roof solar system. The gym was fitted with 118 XZNSHINE 250w panels and two ZEVERSOLAR EVERSHINE TLC 15000 inverters, while the office block received 122 panels and a further two inverters.
The panels were installed on the two separate trapezoidal roofs of the gym and office block by our in-house engineers and under the supervision of a highly experienced Cornerstone Project Manager.
The installation of the 240 panels was completed in August 2015, prior to the Feed in Tariff rate reduction that took effect at the end of the year. Cornerstone supported the Amazon Leisure in completing the Feed in Tariff application to ensure the system was correctly registered and the payments were received on time.
The Result
Commercial PV was the ideal solution for Amazon Leisure. The system ensures that the high energy demand of the gym is met as cost effectively and sustainably as possible.
The installation was completed on time and with minimal disruption to the gym, ensuring members could continue to use the facilities unhindered throughout the project. Our Project Manager developed an excellent working relationship with the Amazon team, with the gym’s owner very pleased with the end to end process.
The gym now benefits from significantly reduced annual energy bills, as well as being in line to more than recoup the £60,000 +VAT installation cost, securing a 17.4% return on investment.
System to generate over £84,500 in Feed in Tariff payments over its lifetime
‘Cornerstone is the company who go the extra mile. Installing solar panels on two buildings simultaneously in August 2015 went without a hitch. Both premises were fully operational throughout and the staff were very professional. The installation was under constant supervision by their Project Manager which meant that we could continue business without a worry. The support did not stop there, the paperwork and registration were handled for us. All in all we are very satisfied with the whole project and would not hesitate in recommending Cornerstone for all your installation requirements.’
– Mark Chapman, Owner
