Donaldson Timber Systems, Witney
Donaldson Timber Systems
999.54 kWp (2,468 panels) installation in Witney, Oxfordshire
Sustainable manufacturing for sustainable homes
Currently led by the sixth generation of the Donaldson family, the 163-year-old Donaldson Group comprises a total of 17 specialist timber and building product businesses and brands, operating throughout the UK from 50 locations and employing over 1,500 people. Donaldson Timber Systems is the Donaldson Group’s offsite timber frame specialist, providing precision made timber frame structures to house builders, developers, contractors and housing associations across the UK.
The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, driven by increasing demand for eco-friendly building materials and practices. As part of its environmental strategy, Donaldson Timber Systems (DTS) sought to implement onsite renewable energy solutions at its manufacturing facility in Witney, Oxfordshire.
Investing in the future of timber supply
Across 2023 and 2024 DTS increased capacity and boosted technical capabilities at its Witney factory, following an investment of more than £10m in machinery and performance upgrades.
The investment includes four state of the art timber processing centres, a new floor panel production line and the most advanced automated pre-insulated closed panel wall production line in Europe.
With this level of capital investment in the factory, and Donaldson’s commitment to sustainability, it was logical to invest in onsite solar PV to make the factory as energy, operationally and cost efficient as possible.
A natural partnership
After consulting with Donaldson Timber Systems, Mypower conducted a comprehensive site survey, considering a number of factors such as site grid capacity, availability of suitable roof space, roof condition, existing electrical distribution infrastructure, site energy demand and time of use.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, Mypower designed a system to maximise all available roof space, with a system capacity of almost 1MWp delivered via 2,468 panels. The energy generated on their rooftop will provide approximately 30% of the site’s annual needs; this is particularly impressive considering the site is consuming nearly 1.5 Million kWhs every year. Mypower arranged an export agreement to ensure that when the generation exceeds demand, for example at the weekends, Donaldson Timber Systems will receive payment for the exported electricity.
Mypower fully installed and commissioned the system working to the highest standards of health and safety and with all access and works scheduled around the site’s operating procedures so as not to disrupt business operation and throughput.
Key facts and predictions
- 999.54 kWp (2,468 panels) installed.
- 889,828 kWh units of energy produced per annum.
- £177,777 projected first year income and savings.
- 27.2% projected first year return on capital invested, before capital allowance benefits.
- 4.66p/kWh - the equivalent forward purchase price of 20 million units of electricity over 25 years including estimated operating & maintenance costs.
- 3.7 years - system payback before finance, tax and capital allowance and grant benefit.
- £7,200,196 - a 25-year income and savings after indexation.
- 84% saving from solar PV electricity compared to grid supplied electricity at 30p/kWh.
- 184.3 tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided per annum.
“We decided to install solar panels on the factory roof here at Witney because it was an opportunity to power the significant upgrade of the facility with clean energy, reducing our energy costs and carbon footprint. As a manufacturing operation, we consume a lot of electricity, especially during peak production times. By harnessing the power of the sun, we’re able to offset a portion of our energy usage and save on our electricity bill. It also aligns perfectly with DTS’s commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact. The installation by Mypower was highly professional and didn’t disrupt our operations, which was key. We’re excited to see the long-term benefits this will bring to our bottom line and reputation as a responsible business.”
Frank O’Reilly, Manufacturing Director, Donaldson Timber Systems
“The Donaldson Group is the latest manufacturer to entrust Mypower with installing solar panels on their premises. With the site upgrade one of the challenges we faced was integrating the solar system with existing and new electrical infrastructure. However, our experienced team worked closely with DTS to ensure a seamless integration. The result is a system that not only reduces the factory’s reliance on fossil fuels but also provides a hedge against future electricity rate increases. We’re proud to call Donaldson Timber Systems a client and to have played a role in helping the business become more sustainable and efficient.”
Ben Harrison, Mypower’s Managing Director
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