Case Studies

As part of its nationwide sustainability strategy, Extra MSA Group has invested in large-scale solar PV at Cobham Service Station, one of the UK’s busiest motorway service areas. Designed and installed by Spirit Energy, the 368.55 kWp system delivers substantial carbon and cost savings while helping Extra move closer to its long-term net-zero objectives.

Why Cobham Chose Solar
Cobham operates 24 hours a day, with continuous demand from retail outlets, restaurants, refrigeration, EV charging points and essential building services. Energy consumption is consistently high, and like many modern service stations, electricity represents a significant operating cost.

Extra recognised that solar PV offered an opportunity to take control of its energy use while strengthening its environmental credentials. By generating clean, renewable electricity on-site, the business can reduce reliance on the grid, protect itself from volatile energy markets, and demonstrate tangible progress toward decarbonising its estate.

Introduction
As part of their continued commitment to sustainability, B&M Care Homes has embarked on a significant renewable energy upgrade at Dalton Lodge, with the installation of a large-scale solar PV system designed and delivered by Spirit Energy. The project marks another step in B&M’s strategy to reduce operational costs while supporting the organisation’s environmental and social responsibility goals.

In September 2025, Spirit Energy completed the installation of a solar PV and battery storage system in Worcestershire. By combining high-efficiency AIKO panels with cutting-edge Sigenergy battery technology, the project is set to deliver substantial bill savings, a strong financial return, and meaningful carbon reductions for years to come.

Introduction

Wentworth Lodge, part of the B&M Investments group, has taken a meaningful step towards sustainability by installing solar panels across its site. The project is designed to reduce energy costs while cutting the building’s carbon footprint, ensuring long-term benefits for both residents and the wider community.

We have just completed work at a vast Aylesbury estate that boasts eight distinct solar arrays, three battery systems, three heat pumps, multiple electric-vehicle charge points and a wind turbine. Originally the site already hosted seven Tesla Powerwalls; we have now added twelve expansion packs, bringing total battery capacity to a staggering 305 kWh, a figure that places it among the largest residential battery installations in the UK.

In April of 2024 we installed a 9.72 kWp in-roof system for Mr S. of Hampshire. As is standard at Spirit we used specialist in-roof Viridian panels, connected to two Solis inverters.

Spirit Energy Install the First Tesla Powerwall 3 in the UK. 

In February of 2024, we installed a Tesla Powerwall 2 for Mr S of Bristol. He was one of our first customers to take advantage of the 0% VAT for battery only installations that was introduced by the government in February 2024. 

Mr S had this to say about the installation:-
"Installation was a very stress free day, the boys new exactly what they were doing and came up with a couple of really good ideas to make the install neater and easier to access."

In September 2020, Spirit installed an EV charging station at Porter Garland’s offices in Camberley. The company had recently purchased an electric car, taking advantage of the tax benefits for businesses.

In December 2019 Spirit installed a Rolec SecuriCharge unit for Nuvola in Swallowfield.

In November 2019, Spirit finished installing a complete system for Mr L in Maidenhead - solar PV, Powerwall 2, eddi and two zappi chargers.

In October 2019, Spirit commissioned an eoMini Pro charger at a house in Thatcham.

Mr E went for the eoMini Pro to take advantage of the £500 OLEV grant for smart chargers. The unit is small and discreet, and offers full monitoring via the app (shown in the image above).

In August 2019, Spirit installed its first zappi version 2 at a house in Reading.

In June 2018, Spirit installed and commissioned 6 Dual Socket EV chargepoints at St Giles Hotel in Heathrow, London.

In 2017, a private landlord contracted Spirit to upgrade the lighting in the communal areas of their property in Bishops Court, Slough. This consisted of replacing 46 existing fittings with a range of new LED lights.

July 2017 saw Spirit carry out a 30 fitting LED lighting retrofit for a commercial property in Newbury, Berkshire. NCR Bodyshops wanted existing highbay lights in their warehouse to be replaced with new 220W LED equivalents. 

In July 2016, Meika Ltd contracted Spirit Solar Ltd to install LED lights in its office and warehouse complex in Reading, replacing 125 existing light fittings and bulbs.

The new fittings range from 600mm x 600mm panels in the office and meeting rooms to 80W LED Corn lamps and 5ft tubes in the warehouse. 

Energy use will be reduced by up to 65%, with a total annual reduction in electricity use of just under 15,000kWh. The annual savings in running costs and replacement bulb costs will be £1,765+VAT; the project has a 3 year payback.

The installation will also improve lighting quality and reduce the need for maintenance of the lights. For example the panels give 35,000 hours service, which is 20 times the expected life of the existing fittings.