When the subject of solar panels is brought up in this country, some bright spark will always mention the fact that it’s not always that sunny here in the UK so why bother.
They have a point but it seems the UK does have the right climate for solar panels as many forecourt operators are finding out.
Top 50 Indie Plaistow Broadway Filling Stations, for example, has solar at five sites and, as a result, is enjoying energy savings of between 25 and 40%.
Project manager at Plaistow, Sarah Dean says they chose to go down the solar power route for site efficiency, to support sustainability and to reduce energy costs.
“Cost and the payback period differs site by site. Our overall investment at all five sites was £166,000 with a payback period of approximately four years.
“The installation was smooth and was carried out in stages – over approximately two weeks – to ensure there was as little disruption on site as possible. The installers communicated well and were efficient.”
As well as the aforementioned savings, Dean says any excess energy can be sold back to the electricity board via the Smart Export Guarantee.
Retail and energy solutions provider TSG is something of an expert when it comes to installing solar panels on forecourts. The company has already completed over 150 installations at petrol filling stations in Europe and Africa.
Thomas Thillou, solar group manager at TSG France, says: “This is a typical cross-business for TSG. We usually provide traditional fuel dispenser maintenance, new EV charger installation and maintenance, battery storage and solar solutions. Beyond forecourts, we also install solar systems for industries, transport and logistics facilities, farms and ground installations for grid feeding. To date, we have completed more than 300mW of solar installations.”
Thillou points out that the panels are just one component of a solar installation: “We offer comprehensive engineering, procurement and construction services to our customers, along with maintenance services. Additionally, we can work with multiple technologies related to energy and electrification, providing one stop shop services to our customers.”
Thillou describes the UK as “a developed country” in terms of solar energy, but says it is still behind other major European countries such as Germany, Spain and Italy.
“According to experts, in 2024, the UK added 1.2gW of solar capacity, reaching a total installed base of 17.6gW, compared to 24gW in France, 36gW in Italy, 57gW in Spain, and almost 100gW in Germany. However, progress is being made. In December 2024, the government set out its plan to decarbonise Great Britain’s electricity grid by 2030, including the deployment of 45gW or more of solar capacity.
“The UK government started 2025 by granting development consent to two major projects with a combined capacity of nearly 1gW. We see the UK as a fast-growing solar market in the coming years, catching up with other countries.”
Thillou says the savings that can be made depend greatly on the location, type of installation, typical energy consumption patterns on the site, equipment prices (which change rapidly) and state support – but there are savings to be had.
And he says solar requires very little maintenance. “An annual cleaning of the panels and visual inspection is usually sufficient, and the inverters need to be replaced after 12-15 years. The panels themselves can last 25 years, even 30 years or more, with only a slight reduction in efficiency over time, retaining 80-85% of their initial performance after such a period.”
As for the thorny issue of our not always sunny weather, Thillou says less sunlight simply means less energy produced per square metre.
“That’s not a significant issue. It means a few more solar panels are needed to cover the same needs but consider that the price of panels has decreased by a factor of 20 in the last 10 years and efficiency has increased by 50%. Look at Germany, for example, which is not particularly sunny, yet its installed solar base is six times that of the UK. There is no reason for the UK not to catch up to at least half of this. At the end of the day, what matters is not whether it is sunny enough or not; it is how much you pay for the produced electricity. If you could pay two or three times less than the grid price, there is a clear benefit.”
One company that is known for its yellow solar canopies is EV chargepoint operator Fastned. The company’s UK country director Tom Hurst says: “Our yellow solar canopies at many of our stations not only shelter our customers while they charge but also power the lighting and CCTV at our charging hubs. Any extra energy generated is sold back to the grid. The energy generated from our solar canopies may not power our chargers but it does cover the cost of installing the panels over its lifetime.”
Other green energy
Wind power might not be an option for many forecourts but five Co-ops are harnessing the power of the wind in a new deal. Central Co-op has led a landmark 10-year corporate power purchase agreement (CPPA), working in partnership with four other independent co-operative societies (Lincolnshire Co-op, Scotmid Co-op, East of England Co-op and Southern Co-op) to supply renewable energy to over 400 Co-op locations across the UK.
This long-term contract will provide up to 53 gigawatt hours (gWh) of green electricity per year, enough to power over 400 Co-operative retail stores, funeral homes and more. Sourced from the London Array offshore wind farm in the outer Thames Estuary, the agreement will see significant savings for the five co-operatives involved throughout the lifetime of the CPPA.
This agreement is said to be a significant milestone in Central Co-op’s sustainability journey, with goals to become self-sufficient in green energy by 2030 and net zero by 2040. The new deal aims to provide 20% of its total energy needs across its business operations.
Energy efficient upgrades
While exploring green energy sources is on the top of the agenda for many forecourt retailers, many others are implementing energy efficient upgrades to their existing equipment.
Top 50 Indie, The Brookfield Group, has made a major investment in energy efficient air conditioning and refrigeration systems, which it says is delivering significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
The upgrades include the installation of a state-of-the-art Daikin VRV heat recovery system and high-efficiency Arneg refrigerated display cases fitted with doors, paired with an I-COOL 10 inverter condensing unit.
These systems have delivered 15% to 20% energy savings on energy bills compared to older models, thanks to advanced inverter technology, improved heat recovery and optimised cooling efficiency. With reduced power consumption and lower carbon emissions, the investment not only enhances sustainability but also ensures long-term operational savings.
The Brookfield Group’s Umar and Ismail Patel, who have worked closely with equipment supplier, The Jordon Group, for over 20 years, say: “The Jordon Group has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of energy efficiency and cost-saving solutions. Their team is exceptionally well-equipped to deliver these kinds of financial savings.”
Paul Jordon, managing director at The Jordon Group, says: “With the advancement of energy-saving technologies, there’s never been a better time for forecourt and retail owners to capitalise on these innovations and achieve significant real-time savings. It’s not just about adding doors to fridges, it’s also about implementing temperature monitoring, efficient lighting, inverter-driven systems, and optimised shelving solutions.”
Another Top 50 Indie, MFG, has recently undertaken significant upgrades to its refrigeration, HVAC and green technologies in its forecourt stores.
At its Seaford site on the south coast, for instance, The Jordon Group replaced two old refrigeration cabinets with new, energy-efficient closed-door display chillers. The company also retrofitted four existing cabinets with glass doors to enhance their efficiency. All the equipment was upgraded with RDM (resource data management) technology, enabling efficient and precise monitoring. This ensures that the forecourt operates at optimal efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable environment.
Paul Jordon says this upgrade perfectly illustrates how even minor asset management and refurbishment efforts can significantly impact energy reduction and sustainability.
At another MFG site – Cromer – The Jordon Group installed new energy efficient chiller cases equipped with doors, Area Cooling Solutions’ inverter-driven condensing units, and RDM remote monitoring solutions for enhanced energy management.
Remote monitoring is said to offer several key benefits, especially in the context of energy management and refrigeration systems. These include:
• improved asset protection – remote monitoring helps in safeguarding valuable equipment by providing real-time alerts and diagnostics. This allows for timely interventions to prevent potential failures.
• Lower operating costs – by continuously monitoring systems, remote monitoring can identify inefficiencies and optimise performance, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower operational costs.
• Enhanced regulatory compliance – remote monitoring systems facilitate compliance with regulatory standards by maintaining accurate records and ensuring that systems operate within specified parameters.
• Ensured product quality – consistent monitoring ensures that refrigeration units maintain the correct temperatures, preserving the quality and safety of stored products.
• Long-term return on investment – investing in remote monitoring systems can lead to significant long-term savings through improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and extended equipment lifespan.
Retrofitting doors on chillers
Putting doors back on chillers has been a big trend over recent years as it can result in significant energy savings.
Refrigeration and HVAC experts Epta are pros as retrofitting. UK marketing manager Rory Kroon says that while it’s quicker and easier to fit Epta doors onto Epta cabinets, the company has successfully rolled out door retrofits on a wide range of third-party chillers too.
“We specialise in designing tailored solutions to suit the specific footprint and airflow of each cabinet,” he explains.
As for the cost of fitting doors versus savings as a result of this, Kroon says every store is different.
“What might be typical for one store, may be completely different for another. That said, we generally quote an average energy saving of 40% with our standard Epta door kit. In some case studies, such as with our recent Co-op one, retailers have seen savings as high as 60%, particularly where Epta doors were fitted to Epta cabinets and broader store-level improvements were in place. Most retailers see a full return on investment within 12 months.”
The actual work in putting the doors back on doesn’t need to disrupt business either. Kroon says a forecourt store can usually be completed in one evening. “We’d just need to cordon off the working area to keep staff and customers safe while our teams are on site.”
Once the doors are back on, he says it’s important to communicate the changes to shoppers. “Simple messages like “This door is saving 40% energy” or “You wouldn’t leave your fridge door open at home” can go a long way in helping customers understand the change and appreciate its benefits.”
If a retailer doesn’t want doors added there are other options available to help save energy. Kroon points to shelf-edge technology (SET) which channels airflow back into the cabinet, making it ideal for fresh produce and high-traffic areas. And the Dual Air Curtain which adds a second invisible barrier of air, acting like a door without any physical obstruction: “This is a great fit for impulse lines or particularly busy sections of the store,” he says.
“Sliding doors are another smart solution, especially in areas with tight aisles or limited space where hinged doors might not be practical.”
Kroon says that when it comes to refrigeration, one of the most effective steps a retailer can take is to upgrade to the latest generation models.
“Newer models are built to meet stricter energy standards and often come with smart control features that help reduce running costs.
“It’s also worth looking beyond just the energy label. Two cabinets might share the same rating, but their actual energy consumption can vary quite a bit. Checking the kilowatt-hour figures gives a much clearer picture of performance.
“Regular maintenance also goes a long way. Simple actions like cleaning condenser coils and checking door seals can make a real difference to long-term efficiency.
“And finally, using night blinds on open cases outside trading hours is a quick, low-cost way to help trap cold air and reduce energy waste.”
Epta has just launched a new ecommerce site, which is specifically designed for independent convenience and forecourt operators, giving them direct access to premium off the shelf solutions for their store. All products are stocked in the UK, which means delivery is guaranteed in five working days.
Simpler Recycling
Finally, we can’t talk about sustainability and green initiatives without mentioning the Simpler Recycling regulations, which came into force in England earlier this month.
According to the ACS, the new regulations state that businesses in England with more than 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees across their entire business that produce waste collected in customer facing bins or from their business operations must separate and present their waste to their waste collector into the following four waste streams:
Dry recycling (glass, metal and plastic)*
Paper and card*
Food waste
Black bin waste (to be sent to landfill)
*some waste collectors will take dry recycling and paper/card together, but retailers will need to confirm this with their collector.
Any business that does not comply with the requirements is at risk of receiving a compliance notice from the Environment Agency. Businesses with fewer than 10 FTE employees will have until March 2027 to comply with the regulations.
Firms such as Glasdon UK and Leafield Environmental can advise retailers on making changes to their operations as well as provide new bins and recycling kit.
Glasdon, for example has bins that are divided up by type of waste that can help simplify things. It also has the Simpler Recycling for England e-book which you can download from its website.
Melanie Murphy, business development manager at Leafield Environmental, says: “We understand the challenges forecourt operators face implementing the Simpler Recycling legislation. We recommend making it as clear as possible for customers to be able to place their recyclable waste in the correct stream by using clear bin signage. Our EnviroPlex recycling bin series has been designed with simpler recycling in mind and provides peace of mind that your forecourt will be compliant with the new legislation.”
