South West property developer Summerfield is generating almost 188,000 kWh of renewable electricity each year through its investment in solar energy, saving an estimated 26 tonnes of CO2 annually across five commercial sites.
The Taunton-based company has installed 415 solar panels, with a combined capacity of 185.58 kW, across its commercial developments at Tauntfield in Taunton, Lakeside and Aintree House on Blackbrook Business Park in Taunton, Vantage Point and Belvedere House on Pynes Hill in Exeter. All supplied through green energy tariffs.
The investment forms part of Summerfield’s wider commitment to improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of its developments. This has helped Summerfield continue to attract occupiers, with only two office suites currently vacant across Summerfield’s entire portfolio.
The results come as Summerfield completes its first net-zero energy housing development at Middlezoy, where the homes are designed to generate as much energy as they are expected to use.
The company is also continuing its investment at Westpark 26 Business Park in Wellington, where 16 new commercial units are being built to high energy-efficiency standards. The units will feature PV solar panels, with occupiers also offered electric vehicle charging options.
Energy-saving measures are incorporated across Summerfield Homes developments, including double glazing, insulated doors, low-energy lighting, counterflow heat exchangers and electric vehicle charging points. The company also seeks to support biodiversity through new open spaces and green links, native tree and wildflower planting, and bird and bat boxes.
At its flagship Killams Park development in Taunton, Summerfield has improved footpaths and cycleways while creating new green spaces and an Art and Nature Trail for residents and the wider community.
James Holyday, Group Managing Director at Summerfield, said: “These figures demonstrate that practical investment in renewable energy is delivering measurable results across our commercial portfolio. It is reducing emissions, helping occupiers manage energy costs and making our workspaces more attractive to businesses.
“With our first net-zero energy homes now complete at Middlezoy and further energy-efficient commercial units under way at Westpark 26, we intend to keep building on that progress and exploring new technologies across future developments.”
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