Solar success tops the roof at CMP Products

A Northumberland-based renewable energy specialist has completed one of the region’s largest rooftop solar installations, helping a Cramlington manufacturer reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

SCJ Renewables has installed 1518 solar panels at CMP Products’ headquarters in Cramlington, covering an area roughly the size of a football pitch.

The commercial rooftop system is capable of generating enough electricity to power around 250 homes and uses eight 110kW inverters to convert solar energy into usable power.

CMP Products, part of the British Engines Group, manufactures cable glands, cable cleats and associated electrical accessories for sectors including oil and gas, renewable energy, rail and construction.

The investment supports the manufacturer’s sustainability ambitions while reducing its reliance on grid electricity and lowering long-term energy costs.

Any surplus electricity generated by the system will be exported to the National Grid, creating an additional revenue stream while supplying green power to homes and businesses across the North East.

The installation also incorporates eight rapid shutdown boxes, which automatically isolate the rooftop solar system in the event of an emergency, ensuring the project meets high safety and grid compliance standards.

Kevin Glenn, project manager at CMP Products, said: “For a major manufacturer like CMP Products, solar power offers a practical way to reduce energy costs, improve sustainability and generate additional value from unused roof space. 

“It is exactly the kind of project more commercial and industrial businesses across the region should be considering.

“We are now able to generate around 794,000kWh of clean energy annually and expect the system to pay for itself within around four years. 

“To give that some context, a solar installation on an average home in the North East generates just 3,000kWh of clean energy annually.

“Investing in large-scale solar is an important step in our long-term sustainability strategy, and in working with SCJ Renewables we’ve been able to deliver a major solar installation with minimal disruption to our operations.”

Northumberland-based SCJ Renewables designs, installs and maintains commercial solar photovoltaic and battery storage systems for businesses across the North East and beyond.

Sean McIntyre, managing director of SCJ Renewables, added: “This is a significant project, not just for CMP Products but for the wider North East renewable energy sector.

“There are not many rooftop solar installations of this size in the North East using rapid shutdown technology on this scale.

“As part of our turnkey service, we liaised with the Northern Powergrid to secure the appropriate export approvals required for CMP Products to export electricity at this scale.”  

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