Custom Solar works with Pets at Home to improve sustainability at national distribution centre
Chesterfield’s Custom Solar, part of Mitie, has completed the installation of a 1.25MWp rooftop solar PV array at Pets at Home’s new national distribution centre in Staffordshire.
The distribution centre, which opened in early 2024, supplies products to the pet care brand’s 450-plus stores.
The solar array will help the national pet care brand to reduce its carbon emissions by over 221 tonnes a year, the equivalent energy use of 80 homes per year or 210 one-way flights from London to New York.
In doing so, Custom Solar has supported Pets at Home on its path to meeting its ambitious target of reducing scope one, two and three emissions by 42% by 2030 against a 2020 base year and reaching net zero by 2040.
Bringing its broad expertise as one of the UK’s largest commercial solar PV developers, Custom Solar has managed the approximately £1 million contract through the whole process from technical design through to the installation of the solar panels which span the roof of the landmark building for Pets at Home which received an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for its environmentally focused design.
It also managed the installation of associated grid connections to ensure the reliability of the centre’s power supply.
Gary Sucharewycz, Managing Director, Custom Solar, said: “We’re proud to have helped to accelerate Pets at Home towards its carbon emission reduction targets with this innovative roof-top solar PV array and associated grid connection. As experts in supporting our customers in finding the best green energy solutions to meet their needs, we’re pleased to have supported the development of the building which has received an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for its sustainability credentials.”
Catriona Curtis, Head of Sustainability, Pets at Home, said: “We’re thrilled to have partnered with Mitie on this step towards achieving our sustainability goals. This installation will make an important contribution to the reduction of our operational emissions and we’re looking forward to continuing to work together to create innovative solutions, to help us create a better world for pets and the people who love them.”
Custom Solar supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.
