CTG, the Banbury-based site of UTC Aerospace Systems, is host to the UK’s biggest community-owned rooftop solar array. Low Carbon Hub initially installed 2,590 solar pv panels, generating 593,304 kWh of clean electricity per year. This was enough to power 150 homes and avoid 5,800 tonnes of CO₂ entering the atmosphere, over the 20 years of the project’s lifetime.

In November 2019 we completed an extension to the CTG rooftop solar array, adding a further 320 panels and providing a further 88,000 kWh of energy every year.

CTG was the first solar installation under our business model to work with local businesses after the removal of solar subsidies. Describing the model for working with local businesses Low Carbon Hub’s Tim Crisp said:

“We offer a zero cost solar PV installation with the additional benefit of an RPI-linked purchase price of the generated electricity, reducing a company’s exposure to the energy market. This shelters companies from energy price inflation and may even reduce the company’s electricity bills over the term of the lease. We also offer one of the cheapest ways for a business to reduce carbon emissions.”

The project was covered in an article by Business Green and the response from twitter was amazing – congratulations and encouragement from the cabinet office, MPs from all parties, local people and community groups, and captains of industry. Nick Hurd MP even called it “an ingenious win-win structure”.

What made this project work in the context of massive solar subsidy cuts, was UTC Aerospace System’s corporate goals for carbon reductions and their willingness to see the social and environmental value of the community benefit fund our projects generate.

TIM CRISP
Project Manager

Our business is at the forefront of aerospace innovation and technology. We’re working on next generation aircraft that will enable greener flight. What we do inside our factory is reflected in what we do outside, using our roof space to generate clean energy whilst also helping the local community is a win-win for us all.

JOHN ENGLAND
Site Director, CTG

Could your business save money on energy and cut carbon emissions?

If you work in a business in Oxfordshire, and you’re interested in finding out more about how you could work with us to install a solar array on your building, please get in touch.