IN A bid to reduce Suttle Stone Quarries’ carbon footprint and energy costs, Swanworth Quarry’s workshop has recently undergone installation of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel system supported by Low Carbon Dorset and installed by Wessex Eco Energy.
Throughout the year when solar radiation is produced (not just in bright sunlight), the panels will generate electricity to provide power for the workshop, security and any fixed electrical systems within the quarry. Importantly it will also help to power the quarry’s 160kW crusher motor which was upgraded to electric from diesel back in 2014, significantly reducing bills and some reliance of fossil fuel energy sources.
The system, which has a capacity of around 49kWp (Kilowatt peak of a system), has been part funded by Low Carbon Dorset as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and will save around 25 tonnes of CO2 per year. This along with an ever-increasing fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles means the company is estimated to be saving in the region of 60 tonnes of CO2 emissions combined.
Suttles Stone Quarries began working on the project in the latter part of 2019 and was approved for the grant from Low Carbon Dorset in time for work to be ultimately completed in October. The process, which included numerous site visits from Low Carbon Dorset’s Renewable Energy Technical Officer, Dr Derek Moss, was concluded with a feasibility study and application for £16,693 of grant funding. Once the supplier was selected and the grant was officially awarded, Suttles were able to instruct Wessex Eco Energy to complete the works. In October, over the course of a week, 120 Canadian Solar 405w PV panels were expertly and neatly installed onto the workshop roof.
John Suttle commented on the project’s completion; ‘I was really impressed with the professionalism and speed of the installation by Wessex Eco Energy and I think Low Carbon Dorset are doing a great job in helping to fund projects like this. I think that every business that is suitable for solar or other renewable energy generation and efficiencies should be applying and hope that Low Carbon Dorset continue to be able to provide funding in future.’
In the coming years it is hoped that a decision on an extension to quarrying at Swanworth will mean that Suttles can extend to a larger solar system that could entirely power activities on site and give scope to more electric vehicle charging. Nonetheless, after a lot of research and determination a low carbon vision is slowly becoming a reality and Suttles aim to roll out such technologies throughout other parts of the business.
Suttle Stone Quarries is a well-established local business based in Purbeck and Poole, Dorset. As well as operating two quarries and an aggregate sales and recycling depot, the company runs a fleet of modern tipper lorries for delivery of stone, aggregates and associated products as well as collection of inert wastes such as concrete and soils for the recycling facility for more information visit; www.suttles.co.uk