Commercial Solar PV Installation - Unilever Leeds
Client
Unilever
Sector
Aerosol Manufacturing
Technology
Solar PV
System Size
350kWp
Estimated Annual Output
342.22 MWh
Payback Period
3.5 Years
25 Year Net Profit
£1.76m
Annual Carbon Savings
66.18 T
Excel Energy is an approved partner with many manufacturers each offering long term warranties and proven reliability
DMEGC Solar Panels:
25 Years
SolarEdge Inverter:
20 Years
Inepro 380 meters
5 Years
Watt Node meters
5 Years
Roof mounting system:
25 Years
Workmanship:
5 Years
Unilever PLC is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, producing everything from personal care products to household essentials. At its Seacroft site in Leeds, the company manufactures more than 600 million aerosols and roll-on body sprays every year, making it Europe’s largest deodorant production facility.
Running operations on this scale requires vast amounts of energy. With Unilever’s global pledge to move to 100% renewable energy by 2030, the company began a search for partners who could help them reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and meet sustainability goals.
Following a rigorous tender process involving a large number of EPC contractors, Excel Energy was selected as the preferred partner due to our expertise, strong focus on safety, and proven track record in delivering high-quality commercial solar PV systems for PLC companies.
Excel Energy’s Feasibility Study – Solar PV and CHP
As part of Unilever’s evaluation, Excel Energy carried out a detailed feasibility study that looked at both Solar PV and CHP (Combined Heat & Power), assessing how the two technologies could complement one another.
This analysis provided Unilever with a clear understanding of:
The scale of solar PV capacity the site could support.
How CHP could work in combination with solar to maximise efficiency.
Energy savings projections and financial return.
Safety and compliance considerations for such a sensitive, large-scale manufacturing facility.
By aligning with Unilever’s sustainability targets, the study provided a practical roadmap for reducing emissions decarbonisation startegy while maintaining high production reliability.
The Solar PV Installation
Excel Energy designed and delivered a bespoke commercial solar PV system bespoke to Unilever’s Seacroft site.
System Overview:
700 x DMEGC, DM500M10RT-B60HBT Bifacial Mono 500wP Panels
3 x SolarEdge SE100K Synergy Inverters
359 x SolarEdge S1400 Power Optimisers
Van Der Valk Pro+ L10 South Ballasted System
Inepro 380 Generation Meters
Watt Node Import/Export Meters
SolarEdge Online Monitoring System
Grid Connection: G99 and G100 export limited
Irradiance and temperature sensors
Cabling & Infrastructure:
DC cabling installed with perforated tray lid cable management.
AC cabling connected from the Main Panel Board to the PV Distribution Boards.
Lighting protection system. Earth taped whole PV array and fitted Type 1 SPD protection
This setup ensures safety, efficiency, and long-term reliability, with full remote monitoring capabilities for ongoing performance tracking.
Environmental & Financial Impact
The new system is predicted to deliver major benefits to Unilever:
CO2 Emissions Reduction:
Saving 66.18 tonnes annually, equivalent to planting over 3,040 trees.
Financial Savings:
Expected to save Unilever on electricity costs by generating clean energy on-site.
Energy Security:
By producing its own renewable power, the Seacroft site reduces reliance on the grid and insulates itself against future price rises.
Reliability Through Quality Partnerships
Excel Energy partners only with trusted tier one manufacturers to ensure long-term system performance. For the Unilever solar PV installation, all components were backed by extensive warranties:
DMEGC Solar Panels – 25 years
SolarEdge Inverters – 12 years
Inepro 380 Meters – 5 years
Watt Node Meters – 5 years
Roof Mounting System – 10 years
Excel Energy Workmanship – 5 years
This blend of premium technology and strong warranties provides Unilever with confidence in both the financial and environmental returns of the project.
Strategic Partnerships for a Sustainable Future
Unilever’s choice to partner with Excel Energy reflects its broader commitment to sustainability. The company is a member of Re-Source Platform, Europe’s leading coalition for corporate renewable energy sourcing, which supports collaboration between businesses and organisations to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
This case shows how large-scale manufacturers can successfully reduce their environmental footprint by working with accredited solar PV experts like Excel Energy.
Excel Energy’s Role
As an MCS-accredited installer with a portfolio of major projects across the UK, Excel Energy is trusted by leading organisations to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality commercial solar PV systems.
Our work at Unilever demonstrates:
A strong commitment to safety standards in sensitive environments.
The ability to design and deliver complex renewable energy projects.
A focus on long-term results with full warranties and ongoing monitoring.
Key Takeaways
Environmental Commitment:
Unilever is firmly on track to reduce its carbon footprint by investing in renewable power.
Strategic Partnerships:
Excel Energy provided the expertise and technology to make these ambitions a reality.
Tangible Impact:
The system delivers significant cost savings and CO2 reductions each year.
Future Outlook:
With this investment, Unilever Leeds leads the way in sustainable manufacturing, showing how major companies can align operations with climate targets.
Powering Unilever’s Journey to 100% Renewable Energy by 2030
By choosing Excel Energy, Unilever has taken another major step towards its 100% renewable energy target by 2030. The Seacroft solar PV installation not only reduces emissions and costs but also demonstrates leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
Excel Energy is proud to have supported this project, and we continue to work with businesses across the UK to deliver high-quality, cost-saving renewable energy solution.
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