Hundreds of solar panels installed as Taunton business embraces green energy

A Taunton-based health insurer has installed 400 solar panels across its headquarters.

The move now means 20 per cent of WPA’s electricity needs are generated from the sun.

The company said this will cut carbon emissions by more than 31 tonnes each year.

The solar panels make up a 150kWp system, which is equivalent to the electricity usage of 50 homes.

The new infrastructure is part of WPA’s long-term aim to improve sustainability and reduce its environmental impact.

This includes upgrades to energy-efficient LEDs and low-emission boilers.

The company also achieved certification to the British Standard for Environmental Management, ISO 14001:2015, in 2006 and is audited every year.

Head of operations at WPA, Clare Sampson, said: “This is a part of WPA’s ongoing commitment to the environment, not only reducing our conventional electricity usage but supporting WPA in fulfilling our environmental strategy.

“It’s a big step for us, cutting emissions and showing how businesses can lead on sustainability.

“This new system will help power our offices, charge electric vehicles for commuting and daily work as well as further reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.”

The solar project will store 240 kWh of energy using advanced battery banks for optimal usage and grid resilience.

While solar power will now supply a fifth of the business’s electricity, the remainder comes from a 100 per cent green energy tariff.

Any residual emissions are fully offset through Gold Standard-accredited projects, making WPA a CarbonZero-certified organisation.