Manufacturers are under growing pressure to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions, but for many, tying up capital in an on-site renewable energy system doesn't fit the balance sheet. Fully funded solar for manufacturers offers another way: Ennovi's new rooftop solar installation in Arbroath shows how it works.
The project
Green Shield Group has delivered an 818.09 kWp rooftop solar PV system at Ennovi’s precision-engineering facility in Arbroath, Scotland. Ennovi manufactures precision-engineered components for the automotive, aerospace and medical sectors, with a particular focus on the fast-growing electric vehicle market.
The company has run an internal sustainability programme since 2019, and this installation is a significant step in that journey. For a manufacturer supplying components to the EV industry, bringing solar onto its own roof is a natural extension of the low-carbon thinking already built into its customers’ products.
The system is forecast to generate around 630 MWh of electricity annually, covering approximately 17% of the site’s total electricity demand and saving an estimated 111.6 tonnes of CO2 each year.
How the funding works
The installation is structured through a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), arranged through Two Blues Solar as funding partner. Two Blues Solar funds and owns the system, while Ennovi purchases the electricity it generates on-site at an agreed rate. Green Shield Group designed and installed the system, and continues to support its ongoing operation.
This model means Ennovi gets access to low-cost, zero-carbon electricity generated on its own roof, without funding the installation itself. Projected modelling suggests the agreement could deliver cumulative energy cost savings exceeding £420,000 within the first 10 years.
Andy Morgan, Financial Controller at Ennovi, said:
“On-site solar was a logical step for our sustainability goals, giving us more control over our operational costs.”
What this means for energy-intensive sites
Energy costs remain one of the biggest variables in manufacturing overheads, and non-commodity charges such as network and policy costs continue to make up a growing share of business electricity bills. For energy-intensive operations with high daytime consumption and available roof space, generating electricity on-site is one of the most direct ways to manage that exposure.
Chris Knight, Sales Director at Green Shield Group, said:
“Manufacturers are increasingly looking for practical ways to manage energy costs and strengthen resilience without committing significant capital. Projects like Ennovi’s show how a well-designed rooftop system, backed by the right funding structure, can deliver measurable savings and carbon reduction over the long term.”
Getting started with a funded solar project
Ennovi’s installation adds to a growing number of UK manufacturers turning to funded solar models as a practical route to decarbonisation. For businesses with the right roof space and consumption profile, a fully funded PPA offers a way to cut energy costs and emissions while keeping capital available for core operations.
If you’re exploring solar for your own site, get in touch with the Green Shield Group team to discuss what a project could look like for your business.
