Tag: solar panels

Brown-Forman and YLEM Energy welcome Alex Cole-Hamilton

MSP visits spirits bond to mark new solar array going live

Member of the Scottish Parliament and Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has visited the global spirits and wine manufacturer Brown-Forman’s Newbridge Bond in his Edinburgh Western constituency as a new solar array goes live this year.

In the first project between YLEM Energy and Brown-Forman, the producer of brands such as Jack Daniel’s and Benriach, a 620kW solar array was developed to deliver 502,117 KWp of clean energy each year at the Newbridge Bond, Edinburgh. This is a part of Brown-Forman’s objective to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

On 29th January, Mr Cole Hamilton visited the site to meet some of the team members and to hear from YLEM Energy and Brown-Forman on the benefits of onsite energy generation for energy-intensive businesses, such as bottling and storage facilities.

Mr Cole Hamilton said: “I am delighted to see businesses taking initiative in advancing sustainability agendas and working towards tackling climate change directly by reducing their emissions.

“The boost for skilled employment and increased investment in the area has my full support and I look forward to hearing the progress that this partnership will bring.”

The 630kWp solar system is also part of YLEM Energy’s Xchange product that was launched in April 2023 and will allow Brown-Forman to export excess renewable energy generated at the Newbridge Bond to the National Grid and reduce its onsite energy costs. Brown-Forman are also exploring the potential to work with YLEM Energy to identify energy efficiency measures onsite to make its operations as sustainable as possible.

Kieran McGuire, European Environment Health and Safety Manager at Brown-Forman said: “It is encouraging to have Mr Cole Hamilton visit our site in Newbridge as the solar array enters use to generate renewable electricity.

“At Brown-Forman, we are committed to our goal of sourcing 100 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and this solar installation is a great step towards meeting that goal.”

Sophie Lamb, Head of Solar at YLEM Energy said: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to relay first hand to Mr Cole Hamilton the benefits of onsite renewable energy generation, with the Newbridge Bond being a great example.

“I’m looking forward to being able to report back on the carbon reductions that our installation at Newbridge Bond will achieve.”

To find out more about YLEM Energy visit www.YLEMEnergy.com.  

To find out more about Brown-Forman’s sustainability strategy and goals visit:

 www.brown-forman.com/environmental-sustainability.

Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative to launch share offer

The installation of nearly 1MW of solar panels on at least six buildings in Edinburgh is planned by Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative (ECSC) as they return for Phase 2 in their quest to make Edinburgh a cleaner and greener city.

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To do this ECSC proposes to raise up to £660,000 by the issue of £1 shares.  The minimum investment will be £100 and priority will be given to local residents who reside in the EH postcode districts.        

In 2015 ECSC successfully launched their first share offer which resulted in over £1.4 million being raised that funded the installation of nearly 1.4MW of solar power on 24 buildings owned by City of Edinburgh Council.  

Today ECSC continues to generate solar power from these buildings and members receive share interest on their investment as projected with all surplus profits allocated to the Community Benefit Fund which came into operation in 2018.

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Speaking of the imminent launch of the share offer, Lesley Hinds, Chair of ECSC said “ECSC is an ethical, community-based, social enterprise.  We came together with a plan to help reduce carbon emissions, address Fuel Poverty and make renewable energy more commonplace in our city.  

“We especially welcome smaller amounts, as we would like as many people to join ECSC as possible, which is why the minimum investment is as low as we can make it. 

“Parents and grandparents can also apply for shares in ECSC for their children and grandchildren or can apply for shares on their behalf and leave them in their will”. Shares in ECSC are understood to be exempt from inheritance tax under present rules.

The share offer will be  launched in Summer  2020 and you can register your interest at www.edinburgh.coop/register. 

ECSC also has the option to install on 4 other Sites should grid connections and roof surveys permit later in the year.