Across these sectors Absolar have installed solar PV systems that have successfully reduced energy bills without any disruption to their business operations.
Large roof space availability. Significant energy bill reduction with additional income stream from energy export.
High electricity demand from office appliances, matching solar PV generation pattern.
As an energy-intense industry, manufacturing facilities benefit significantly from having free, clean solar energy.
Consistent building upgrade with property value and ESG benefits. Significant operational cost savings.
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Optimal roof space available for solar panels. Low installation costs and potential for export income
Significant energy demand could be offset by solar energy, reducing operational costs.
Complex roof structure requires solar simulation modelling, matching demand profile with solar generation.
High energy usage by printing equipment offset by renewable electricity, significantly reducing operational costs
Large rooftop spaces for electricity generation, reducing operational costs significantly.
Energy simulation to match consumption profile with roof space assessment.
Improving ESG, reducing energy costs, future-proof building with energy system upgrade.
Electricity usage in computing equipment met by renewable energy, improving ESG and energy independence.
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Constant electricity demand from the use of CNC machines has been offset by clean, free solar electricity.
Printing is one of the most energy-intensive industries in the UK, with presses, dryers and finishing equipment running through the working day. That constant daytime demand is exactly what rooftop solar serves best. Find out what your roof could generate with a free remote survey.
Across the UK, printing businesses run energy-hungry machinery continuously through daylight hours, which means a large proportion of solar generation is consumed on site, where it saves the most.
There's an industry-wide push behind it too. Since the Publishers Association's Sustainability Taskforce launched its climate initiative in 2021, over 200 leading businesses across UK book and journal publishing have signed up to sustainability commitments. Publishers increasingly choose printers on green credentials, so a printer's energy source is now a commercial matter, not only an environmental one.
As readers, storytellers, creators, and educators, we have a unique role to play in the climate crisis. We have a responsibility to use our collective voice to inspire positive change, as we reduce our impact and transform our ways of working.
UK Publisher Association
One of Southampton's oldest businesses is leading the charge into a cleaner energy future.
Hobbs the Printer, a family firm founded in 1884 and specialists in commercial lithographic and digital print, first installed solar with a 960-panel array in 2015. In summer 2024, Hobbs partnered with Absolar to scale up.
The technology story is striking on its own: thanks to advances in panel efficiency, the 489 panels installed in 2024 produce roughly the same output as the original 960 panels from 2015. Half the panels, the same power.
An exceptional service from start to finish. Planning, preparation and installation of our 489 PV panels was completed with clear and detailed communication and there was no interference to day-to-day operations. Highly recommended.
Chris Hobbs, Business Development Director, Hobbs the Printer
The project came shortly after Hobbs achieved their SBTi near-term emissions reduction target seven years ahead of schedule, cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 62% from a 2020 baseline against a 42% target set for 2030. On-site solar is a central pillar of how print businesses evidence that kind of progress to their customers.
Read the full Hobbs case study
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Across the UK, Printing businesses have shown high energy usage due to continuous operations of energy-intensive machinery throughout the day. By installing solar PV systems, a large proportion of electricity consumption could be reduced, saving operational costs and carbon footprint. In the successful case study at Hobbs, Southampton, the newly installed solar array delivers over 429,000 kWh per year, enough to brew over 24 million cups of coffee, or more relevantly, keep presses rolling all year round.
Thanks to advancements in solar technology, the 489 panels installed in 2024 now produce roughly the same output as the original 960 panels installed back in 2015, proving that investing in the latest tech delivers better performance with fewer resources.
This project came shortly after Hobbs received confirmation they had achieved their SBTi Near-term emissions reduction target seven years ahead of schedule. From a 2020 baseline, the company has already cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 62%, far exceeding the 42% reduction target set for 2030.
Absolar uses high-resolution LiDAR mapping and AI analysis to assess your factory roof remotely, evaluating roof area, orientation, structural type and obstructions such as skylights, vents and extraction plant. Your consumption profile is then modelled against simulated generation at half-hourly resolution, so the system is sized around your actual production pattern.
You receive costs, savings and payback projections before anyone visits the site.
Print factories combine large rooftop areas with heavy, continuous daytime consumption. Rooftop solar drastically cuts grid consumption from the day the system switches on.
Using representative market values, a typical solar project for a printing business delivers over 30% internal rate of return, with average payback under five years. With a 30+ year lifespan, solar shields the business from energy price volatility long after payback.
Solar is a capital improvement that enhances property value and the company's sustainability credentials. Through Absolar's finance partners, asset-based funding lets businesses install without upfront capital, protecting cashflow while the system pays for itself.
When generation exceeds consumption, Absolar arranges export to the grid under competitive tariffs, creating an income stream during weekends, shutdowns and quieter production periods.
Publishers signed up to the industry's sustainability declaration increasingly audit their supply chain. On-site solar gives print businesses verifiable clean energy figures for tenders, certifications such as EcoVadis and Book Chain Project assessments, and Scope 2 emissions reporting.
At Absolar, engineering is at the heart of everything we do. Our commitment to quality starts with rigorous site analysis and design, ensuring every installation is tailored for optimal performance and longevity. We design systems to last, using proven technologies and components that meet the highest industry standards.
Our in-house engineering team brings decades of experience across electrical, structural and renewable energy disciplines, allowing us to anticipate and solve challenges before they become problems, from feasibility through commissioning, with clear communication and no surprises.
No. At Hobbs, 489 panels were installed with no interference to day-to-day operations, and the same planning approach applies to every project: access, deliveries and working patterns are designed around from the start.
Yes, and it's often excellent value. Hobbs' 2024 expansion added 489 modern panels producing roughly the output of their original 960-panel array, and the two systems run side by side.
On-site generation provides verifiable clean energy data for Scope 2 emissions reporting, SBTi target evidence, and assessments such as EcoVadis and the Book Chain Project, all of which publishers increasingly weigh when choosing printers.
Our AI roof detection identifies vents, flues, skylights and plant automatically from LiDAR data, and panel layouts are designed around them from the outset.
Almost always. Premises with a footprint over 200 square metres and annual consumption above 50,000 kWh see the strongest returns, and most commercial print operations sit comfortably above both thresholds.
Request a free remote survey. We assess your building without a site visit and report back with costs, generation and payback projections.
The solar PV system has been a significant investment for us as a business but one that we hope represents our commitment to the future and to sustainable business practices. We might be over 100 years old but we’re not standing still, we’re always looking to the future, adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of our customers.
Matt Sheen, CEO at Draper Tools
I had the privilege of unveiling Draper Tools' ambitious 900+ solar panel installation at their North Baddesley site this week. This is already generating 73% of the facility’s power needs and is set to prevent over 100 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.
Delivered by local solar specialists Absolar, this project sets a strong example of how businesses can lead the way in sustainability while also securing long-term energy savings.
Caroline Nokes, MP
An exceptional service from start to finish. Planning, preparation and installation of our 489 PV panels was completed with clear and detailed communication and there was no interference to day-to-day operations. Highly recommended.
Chris Hobbs, Business Development Director at Hobbs the Printer
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From the very first meeting, I was won over and every touch point since has just reinforced my view of Absolar. They are brilliant and at what they do - and infectiously passionate about it. The initial proposal was logically laid out, compelling and contained all the financial justification elements a business would need (this made a potentially subjective decision highly objective). Having had our system for 3 years, we have experienced amazing ongoing collaboration and support. I could not be happier with our PV system and the support we get from Absolar… just awesome...
Dr Stephen Rowe, Managing Director at DEKRA UK
Printing | Commercial
Located in Totton, Southampton, Hobbs specialises in commercial lithographic print and digital services. With commitment to sustainability, the building was installed with 960 solar PV panels in 2015; and in this project, a new section of solar panels are added to the other side of the roof.
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Our latest whitepaper is designed to help businesses and commercial landlords navigate the opportunities and challenges of solar energy adoption. This in-depth guide explores the key steps to developing successful commercial solar projects, whether you own a single property or manage a diverse portfolio. Drawing on our real-world experience, the whitepaper covers everything from assessing rooftop suitability to understanding performance guarantees and compliance requirements.
Crucially, it also breaks down the latest financing options available, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), capital investment models, and landlord-tenant cost-sharing strategies. For commercial landlords, we offer practical guidance on how to structure solar projects that align with lease terms and add long-term value to your properties. Whether you're looking to reduce operational costs, meet ESG targets, or attract sustainability-minded tenants, this whitepaper is your essential roadmap to making solar work for your business.
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