Joju and West Oxford Community Renewables (WOCR) have unveiled a 50kw solar panel array on the roof of Aldi's West Oxford store. Unlike most commercial solar installations, the profits made from the energy generated will not go to the store but will instead be passed on to a community led environmental group, Low Carbon West Oxford - to reinvest in future green initiatives.
Each year, the 50 kW array is expected to generate the energy equivalent to that needed to run 15 average UK households. It will produce an annual income of around £15,000 for re-investment in local community environmental activities as a result of the government's Feed-in Tariff scheme. In return, Aldi will benefit from the cheaper and cleaner green electricity that is generated by the solar panels.
The array offers the Aldi store a number of other benefits. In addition to reducing the cost of its electricity, it will play a significant part in its carbon reduction commitment and provide a highly visible reminder to customers of the company's green credentials.
The agreement with WOCR enables Aldi to give something back to the environment and the local community. Not only will it reduce its carbon footprint but it will also help to ensure that LCWO's work carries on far into the future.
WOCR and Joju are hoping that more companies follow Aldi's lead. "WOCR and Aldi have turned an empty roof into a potentially significant revenue stream for funding local green initiatives and significantly reducing their carbon footprint," said Joe Michaels, managing director, Joju. "The hope is that other companies with large roof spaces will be inspired by what is happening in West Oxford and look more seriously at the win-win opportunities that solar can offer their businesses, the environment and the community."
The Aldi project is one of a number of initiatives that WOCR is implementing in collaboration with Joju. Other installations include The King's Centre near Osney completed at the beginning of the year and the forthcoming array at South Street on Osney Island.