Selco Builders Warehouse has continued its sustainability journey by expanding its solar panel coverage and increasing the number of electric vehicles and alternative fuel options within its transport fleet.
The builders’ merchant now has high-performance solar panels installed in six branches, producing a carbon saving of more than 85,000 kgs – reportedly the equivalent of planting more than 5,100 trees. The panels – which were fitted by Amelio Solar Panels, with SolarEdge providing the web portal for real-time monitoring – have been installed in Barking, Romford, Stirchley, Sutton, Swansea and York branches.
Craig Bowler, Head of Development at Selco, said: “The installation of solar panels at a number of branches have resulted in significant reductions in our carbon footprint. During business opening hours, we are seeing the solar panels generate close to 100% of the energy required for the branch.
“We are delighted with the impact we are seeing on the overall energy consumption where solar panels have been installed and we look forward to seeing further progress replicated across other branches over time.”
In addition, Selco’s transport fleet is moving increasingly to alternative fuel vehicles, including electric forklift trucks and dropside vans. The business now has 29 HGV vehicles operating on either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). In addition, “dozens of electric forklift trucks have been added to the fleet,” taking the total number in the company to 222.
Head of Transport Operations Richard Evans said: “The direction of travel over the last five years when it comes to our transport fleet has been towards alternative fuels and electrification. We have a clear long-term strategy to reduce our carbon footprint in the communities in which we operate and the progress we are making within the transport fleet is sizeable and will be continued.”
