829kWp Solar PV, Bidvest ColdstoreRefrigerated Distribution
829kWp of photovoltaics on Bidvest’s coldstore, delivered with Kingspan. Refrigerated distribution runs a heavy, relentless electrical load through daylight hours — which makes coldstores among the very best commercial candidates for solar self-consumption in the UK.
Project summary
829kWp of photovoltaics on Bidvest’s coldstore, delivered with Kingspan. Refrigerated distribution runs a heavy, relentless electrical load through daylight hours — which makes coldstores among the very best commercial candidates for solar self-consumption in the UK.
- Client Bidvest / Kingspan
- Scale 829kWp
- Completed 2014
- Location Bidvest coldstore, UK
- Service Coldstore solar
- Installer MARA Electrical — NICEIC approved, MCS certified, based in Queensferry, Deeside
The Best Load Profile in Commercial Solar
Refrigeration never switches off. Neither does the electricity bill — which is exactly why coldstores and solar suit each other.
- Client
- Bidvest
- Main contractor
- Kingspan
- Sector
- Refrigerated food distribution
- System size
- 829kWp
- Completed
- 2014
- Delivered by
- MARA Electrical — MCS certified, NICEIC approved
Refrigeration Is a Relentless Electrical Load
A coldstore is essentially a very large, very well insulated box that must not get warm. Maintaining that condition means compressors, fans and controls drawing power continuously, and the demand rises in exactly the conditions where solar performs best — hot, bright summer days.
That correlation is unusually favourable. Many commercial buildings generate a surplus at midday that gets exported for a modest tariff. A coldstore consumes it. Self-consumption approaches its practical maximum, and every generated unit displaces one bought at full commercial rate.
Working with Kingspan, we delivered 829kWp across the roof — a substantial array on a building whose operation could not be interrupted, because the contents of a coldstore do not tolerate downtime.
829kWp on a Live Coldstore
Large-scale rooftop installation above an operation that cannot be paused.
829kWp Array
Installation of 829kWp of photovoltaics across the coldstore roof, integrated with Kingspan’s roofing system.
Structural & Thermal Care
Roof capacity assessed and works detailed to protect the insulated envelope that keeps the building cold.
Electrical Integration
Connection into the site’s distribution to prioritise self-consumption by the refrigeration plant.
Live Operation Maintained
Programme sequenced so refrigeration and distribution continued uninterrupted throughout.
The Coldstore Installation
What Bidvest Got
Near-Total Self-Consumption
Generation consumed on site by refrigeration rather than exported, maximising the value of every kilowatt-hour produced.
Strong Payback Profile
High self-consumption against commercial electricity rates is the fastest route to payback in commercial solar.
Lower Carbon Per Pallet
Reduced grid electricity per unit of cold storage — increasingly demanded by food retailers auditing their supply chains.
Certified & Uninterrupted
MCS certified and NICEIC approved, delivered without a break in refrigeration.
Solar for Cold Chain & Food Distribution
Food distribution and cold chain operations are well represented across the North West and North Wales, from Deeside Industrial Park through Wrexham Industrial Estate and out across Cheshire. Many run exactly the load profile that makes solar compelling.
We have delivered solar for Bidvest, for supermarket groups including Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Aldi, and for Iceland Foods on the EV charging side at their Deeside head office. Food and retail logistics is a sector we know well — including the working reality that stock keeps moving whatever is happening on the roof.
Whatever your building type, we survey it, design for it and certify it. Talk to us about commercial solar panel installation, or browse the full solar portfolio.
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Questions About This Project
Who carried out the Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV project?
MARA Electrical carried out the Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV project for Bidvest / Kingspan. MARA Electrical are NICEIC approved electrical contractors and MCS certified solar installers, based in Queensferry on Deeside, serving Chester, Flintshire, Wrexham and North Wales.
How large is the Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV installation?
The Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV installation is 829kWp. It was completed in 2014 at Bidvest coldstore, UK.
When was the Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV project completed?
The Bidvest Coldstore Solar PV project was completed in 2014.
Does MARA Electrical work outside North Wales?
Yes. MARA Electrical are based in Queensferry, Deeside and serve Chester, Flintshire, Wrexham and North Wales as their core area, but commercial projects have been delivered across the UK including Manchester, Liverpool, Kettering, Southampton, Norfolk and Scotland.
Coldstore or Distribution Centre?
If your building runs a heavy daytime load, solar self-consumption is likely to pay back faster than you expect. Free feasibility survey with a full financial projection.
or email solar@mara.uk.com · see all solar projects