The Bowker BMW and MINI centres in Blackburn and Preston are leading the charge for environmentally-friendly business in Lancashire by installing 1600 new solar panels on its dealership roof.
The move will allow the car centre to generate a quarter of its electricity needs from solar energy. It will also help reduce its carbon footprint by saving 130 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Bowker is no stranger to green initiatives. The Blackburn dealership installed 210 solar panels in 2012, the first car dealership in Lancashire to embrace solar energy. Predictions estimated that the panels would save £420,000 over 25 years and reduce CO2 emissions by 500 tonnes.
The new panels demonstrate the Bowker Motor Group’s ongoing environmental focus. According to national statistics, around 50% of the UK’s carbon footprint comes from energy use.
Bowker Motor Group director, Chris Eccles, said: “We’re excited to begin work on this project. The first 200-or-so panels we installed back in 2012 have saved us money and reduced our emissions. This latest investment will reduce our carbon footprint even more. We want to lead the way in environmentally-friendly business.”
Award-winning Burnley firm Low Carbon Energy in Burnley are installing Bowker Motor Group’s new panels. Low Carbon Energy has recently completed the UK’s largest SolarEdge project; a 2.7MW system for Boohoo in Burnley, Lancashire; and a 1.7MW solar energy project for the NHS.
Gerard Ennis, managing director at Low Carbon Energy, said: “It’s great to see a local business like Bowker BMW leading the way in sustainable energy. By embracing solar power, they’re reducing their carbon footprint and taking control of their energy needs. We’re thrilled to be part of this project and excited to see its impact on the local community.”
Last month, Bowker Motor Group received a national BMW UK Retailer Award for its commitment to sustainability. Bowker Motor Group invested almost £2 million in sustainability initiatives in 2022 alone and appointed an Energy Champion to help reduce its carbon footprint.
