THE Big Solar Co-op, the pioneering UK-wide community energy business, has launched its first large rooftop solar installation in Tenbury Wells.

The project, which uses sustainable and ethical high-tech solar panels made by Swiss company Meyer Burger, marks the first time these panels have been deployed on this scale in the UK.

Meyer Burger began producing its own solar panels in Germany in 2021 using 100 per cent renewable energy.

Big Solar Co-op co-founder Jon Hallé said the group's research had led them to Meyer Burger, which is making real, quantifiable progress through a combination of very high-quality and efficient panels and a serious claim to be the most ethical and greenest panels in the UK market.

The panels will be installed on the roof of food processing plant Kerry T&N in Tenbury Wells.

Ludlow Advertiser: Solar panels are being installed on the roof at Kerry T&NSolar panels are being installed on the roof at Kerry T&N (Image: Shropshire Council)

The complete installation of over 750 panels will have a capacity of over 300 kW, equivalent to over 1 million miles driven in an electric vehicle per year.

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The potential operating cost savings from the installation are expected to help the plant continue to contribute to the local economy, particularly as rising costs hit other areas of its business.

Plant manager Kerry Baker said that the new rooftop solar panels will significantly reduce the carbon footprint and energy bills of the site, contributing to the future sustainability of the business.

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Big Solar Co-op has already raised over £1m from more than 500 investors, and is currently raising further funds to undertake more installations through a rolling share offer.

Big Solar Co-op is entirely owned by the public, who either volunteer their time, invest, or both.

Investor members will control 25% of votes in Big Solar Co-op, with the remaining 75% controlled by volunteer worker members.

Hallé, meanwhile, has said that the organisation has more large solar rooftops planned around the country, and investing with the group will help to unlock the potential of co-operatively-owned solar on community and commercial rooftops, bolstering efforts to move towards a low-carbon future.