We recognise that businesses across the construction industry have an important role to play in reducing their environmental impact. This is why we recently invested in the installation of solar panels at our Wokingham training centre.
| ☀️ 40 | Solar panels installed |
| 🌱 1,500 lb | CO₂ saved |
| 🔋 927 kWh | Energy generated |
Why Net Zero Matters
The UK Government has set a path to net zero by 2050, with businesses across all industries having an important part to play. The construction industry is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, meaning that businesses must look for ways to reduce emissions and operate more sustainably.
We know that no single change will achieve net zero on its own. However, making practical improvements now can help us reduce our environmental impact while encouraging us to consider what further changes we can make in the future.
Investing in Solar Panels
The installation included 40 solar panels, which have been generating renewable electricity since 17 September. Since being installed, the system has already generated over 927 kWh of electricity and delivered an estimated 1,500 lb of CO₂ savings so far. At present, the solar system is providing 44% of our electricity, reducing the amount of electricity we need to source from the grid.
These figures will continue to be monitored over the next year. This will allow us to build a clearer picture of how much renewable energy our system generates throughout the year, including how its performance changes with the seasons.
Benefits of Solar Energy
One of the biggest advantages of our new solar installation is that it allows us to generate electricity on-site from a renewable source. Unlike electricity generated using fossil fuels, solar power produces no direct CO₂ emissions or air pollutants while the panels are generating electricity. Solar panels can continue to produce electricity for decades, with systems designed to operate for 25 to 30 years.
We have also installed battery storage alongside the solar panels. The batteries allow energy generated by the panels to be stored rather than relying solely on electricity being used at the exact moment it is generated. This will be particularly useful during the autumn and winter months, when shorter days and reduced sunlight mean that our panels are likely to generate less electricity. Being able to store available energy gives us greater flexibility in how we use the renewable electricity generated at our site.
A Step Towards Net Zero
Installing solar panels is an important milestone for BAM Construction Training, but it is only one part of our wider journey towards net zero. We are also beginning to invest in electric vehicles for our staff, with plans to introduce electric vans in the future. Moving towards electric vehicles is another way we can reduce emissions associated with our business travel and company vehicles.
Another area we are focusing on is the way we process paperwork. Although we already recycle the paper we use, we believe that reducing waste at the source is even better. As a result, we are continuing to look at ways to make more of our processes digital and reduce unnecessary paper use across the business.
What’s Next?
Over the coming year, we will continue to monitor the performance of our solar system and assess where we can make further improvements. This will help us understand what is working well and identify other practical opportunities to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and operate more sustainably.
Conclusion
The installation of 40 solar panels at our Wokingham training centre is an important milestone for BAM Construction Training and reflects our commitment to making positive, practical changes. From renewable energy and battery storage to electric vehicles, digitalisation and reducing waste, we are continuing to explore ways to make our business more sustainable.
We recognise that there is more work to do, but every step matters. By continuing to make improvements across our operations, we can play our part in reducing our environmental impact and supporting a more sustainable future.
